On 26 March 2021, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Federal Republic of Germany to the Russian Federation Géza Andreas von Geyr visited the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research.

JINR Director Academician Grigory Trubnikov, Scientific Leader of the Institute Academician Victor Matveev, and representatives of the JINR management welcomed the important guest in the JINR Directorate.

Welcoming Mr Géza Andreas von Geyr, JINR Director Grigory Trubnikov noted a longstanding and fruitful history of JINR cooperation with German scientific centres, as well as the active participation of German scientists in the scientific activity of the Joint Institute. “JINR is happy to host a high-ranking delegation from Germany. Being one of the founding states of the Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Germany is one of the strategic partners of our international organization today. We highly appreciate the participation of Germany as a “scientific and technological giant” in all flagship international projects of our Institute. We believe that the status of a Member of our international organization corresponds to the level of cooperation between scientific teams of JINR and Germany. I am convinced that our dynamically developing cooperation will bring this mutually beneficial decision closer in the coming years,” Academician Trubnikov said.

In the photo from right to left: Mr Géza Andreas von Geyr, Ambassador of Germany to Russia, Matthias Fischer, Head of the Department of Economy and Science, Marina Piminova representing the Unit of Science and Research, Frederike Schmitz from the Department of Economy and Science

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After congratulating JINR on the jubilee, H.E. Ambassador noted, “Significant scientific discoveries have been made here, outstanding scientific minds have and do work here, scientific history and the future are connected in this place. Our visit is motivated by the desire to get acquainted with those brilliant, well-proven examples of international scientific cooperation that JINR is demonstrating. Moreover, we are ready to continue support of this cooperation through the Embassy as far as scientific cooperation between our countries is especially important for us. Yes, the significance of this cooperation is growing in the context of increasing globalization in our world. Scientific diplomacy is increasingly becoming the diplomacy of the future. That is why we pay special attention to the support of young scientists, and our cooperation can and should be developed in this direction as well.”

The parties discussed prospects for the enhancement of German participation in JINR, as well as capabilities of the Joint Institute for the support of academic mobility of young scientists and support of the staff. In particular, participants of the event discussed the first international D² School (Dubna-Darmstadt) scheduled for Spring 2022 and organized jointly by JINR and FAIR/GSI.

The parties discussed also prospects for the integration of science, culture, and arts. Thus, a good opportunity for the popularization of joint scientific projects is a summer camp in Germany organized by the German party in the framework of the Year of Germany in Russia 2021. H.E. Ambassador von Geyr invited JINR to participate in the festival.

As part of the visit to JINR, Géza Andreas von Geyr was acquainted with the objects of the JINR scientific infrastructure. German Ambassador visited the Laboratory of High Energy Physics where JINR Vice-Director Vladimir Kekelidze acquainted him with the progress of the NICA mega-science project and the factory of superconducting magnets. In the Laboratory of Nuclear Reactions, FLNR Director Sergey Sidorchuk welcomed the distinguished guest. Géza Andreas von Geyr had a tour of the Superheavy Element Factory. In addition, H.E. Ambassador accompanied by Yuri Panebrattsev and Dmitry Kamanin visited a multimedia exhibition in the JINR Cultural Centre “Mir” dedicated to the jubilee of the Joint Institute, its history, and research fields.

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At the end of the visit, Mr Géza Andreas von Geyr gave a brief interview to the Institute’s media.

– Mr Ambassador, how do you rate the development of scientific relations between JINR and research institutions in Germany?

Scientific cooperation between the Russian Federation and Germany is excellent. It has long-standing roots and many years of history. This cooperation is excellent not only in the present but it also has a huge potential for the future. And one of the very best examples is the cooperation the German institutions have with JINR. That is why we are very happy to have a chance to see some of its megaprojects. At the same time, the exchange of young scientists is important for us as well. And I’m looking forward to seeing it continued and intensified.

– Dubna has become the second home for many of your fellow citizens who work here. Scientific cooperation often turned into human friendship. How do you feel about this process?

Before I became a diplomat, I myself spent a few years abroad during my studies and as a post-doc. And this was may be the most enriching time. And I can just say that each kind of international experience young scientists can have is a positive one. The togetherness is built upon this through the years after the people have established themselves as scientists. This is I think the big advantage of Dubna. People coming here meet a wonderful scientific and living environment. The same goes for Russian scientists who might spend some time at partner institutions in Germany. Together they enjoy cooperation across the borders and participate in taking care of a good future. Because in the end, in our globalized world, we will need even more exchange, more dialogue across the borders. And this spirit of togetherness will have to go hand in hand with the spirit of scientific freedom.

– What would you like to wish the employees of JINR on its 65th anniversary?

First, I would like to congratulate them on the 65th anniversary. After my visit to this place, I have to say that I’m moved to be at the site where so much scientific excellence has been happening during these 65 years. Everything that was discovered here, those eminent scientists who lived, studied, taught, did research here, it’s exciting! I wish the Institute the very best in its activities and the best of luck for the next 65 years!

Photos by Elena Puzynina