The event took place online on 2 December under the auspices of the Delegation of the European Union to the Russian Federation. Director of the Joint Institute Grigory Trubnikov introduced participants to the working principles of the Institute, its key fields of activities, and flagship projects.

In addition to Scientific Advisors from the Embassies of the EU Member States to Russia and representatives of states associated within the framework programmes of the European Union, the event was also attended by heads and employees of Moscow offices of European organizations financing scientific and research activities, such as the European Space Agency (ESA), the German Research Foundation (DFG), a branch of the Scientific and Research Centre of Germany to the Russian Federation – Helmholtz Association, German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) and German Science and Innovation Centre in Moscow (DWIH), Centre for Industrial Technological Development of Spain (CDTI), as well as members of the working group for modernisation and innovations of the Association of European Businesses (AEB).

Presenting the JINR Long-Term Development Strategy, Grigory Trubnikov highlighted that the main resource of the Institute is its staff. In this regard, the formation of an advanced staff policy is getting particularly important. “Our main goal is to multiply international intellectual human capital,” the JINR Director said.

ВAt the same time, Grigory Trubnikov noted that the vector of the Institute’s evolution is aimed at the development of the scientific infrastructure for fundamental and applied research with an emphasis on innovative technologies. The JINR Director highlighted the multidisciplinary character of the complex of the large-scale research infrastructure of JINR. Some of its objects are included in international scientific strategies of the European Union, such as the ESFRI Roadmap 2021. One of such projects is the Baikal-GVD neutrino telescope. A number of participants expressed their wish to visit it.

Talking about the international cooperation of the Institute, Grigory Trubnikov noted growing joint publication activities of JINR and the EU countries. Thus, joint publications of the Institute and the EU states is at the third place in terms of their number, the first two being done with CERN and US scientific laboratories. Grigory Trubnikov paid special attention to the prospects for cooperation enhancement with the JINR Member States and partner countries not only through scientific centres but also via universities. Moreover, the Institute’s educational programmes were presented that aroused a vivid interest among participants of the event.

Participants discussed the role of the Institute as a platform for the development of cooperation on scientific diplomacy. “Dubna can be a scientific Davos, a site for meetings of scientific attaches from the JINR Member States, the European Union, and other countries to discuss the instruments of scientific diplomacy,” Grigory Trubnikov proposed.

In a way of conclusion, the JINR Director invited EU Scientific Advisors to Russia, representatives of embassies to visit the scientific centre in Dubna.