The Montenegrin Academy of Sciences and Arts, in cooperation with the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and of Education and Sciences of Montenegro and in cooperation with the Central European Initiative, organised an International Scientific Conference on Research and Development as a Basis for Innovation in Creating the Competitive CEI Region”, in Podgorica (12-13 November 2010).
Presidents and distinguished representatives of most academies of the CEI Region, but also including the Academies of Russia, Greece, Turkey, as well as representatives of the European Commission, of UNESCO Office in Venice and of other scientific organisations participated in the Conference with highly motivated presentations and passionately contributing to the debate. The President of the Montenegrin Academy, Prof. Djurovic emphasised the role of scientists as “natural” advisors to the political leaderships in the respective countries on policies and specific measures which are required in order to support the itinerary from research to technology creation and technology transfer, finalised to innovation and through innovation to sustainable competitiveness as the solid basis for development. In this context, CEI Alternate Secretary General, Giorgio Rosso Cicogna, mentioned the necessity to start focussing on one or more strategic projects at the regional level, capable of organising sufficient critical mass and attracting adequate funding: starting from the resources available through the European Commission. He described as a possible example, an integrated regional project on Next Generation Biofuels.