Kiev calls the Association with CERN step on the path to European integration.
Ukraine became an associate member of the European organization for nuclear research (CERN), reported on the center’s website. While in the world’s leading laboratory for particle physics Russia still has observer status.
Associate membership allows Ukraine to participate in tenders for the supply of high-tech equipment to CERN along with the rest.
“Our hard and consistent work over the last two decades was completed in a remarkable event – the granting Ukraine the status of associate member of CERN. This is a very important step towards European integration of Ukraine”, – said the permanent representative of Kiev with the European office of the United Nations in Geneva, Yurii Klymenko.
The Association agreement the country signed in 2013 and ratified by the Verkhovna Rada next year. Ukraine’s accession was made possible after the payment of a contribution to the organization’s budget of about 250 thousand dollars.
Scientific, educational and personnel policy, as well as the funding of CERN is determined by its regular members and associate members.
In a press release, the organization notes that relations between Ukraine and CERN have a long history.
