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Cooperation between CNRS and ELKH may open new perspectives for the scientific and technological relations of France and Hungary

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Leaders of the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on  March 29, 2021. The purpose of the agreement is to strengthen and further develop scientific cooperation between the two institutions.

As a result of nearly a year of preparatory work, a strategically important cooperation agreement was reached between the Eötvös Loránd Research Network and the French basic research organization, CNRS. The signing of the agreement took place partly virtually and partly in person: with the participation of CNRS at the Hungarian Embassy in Paris and ELKH at the French Ambassador's residence in Budapest. Ambassador Pascale Andréani from France and Ambassador György Habsburg from Hungary praised the agreement; the signatories were Miklós Maróth, President of ELKH and Alain Schuhl, Deputy Director General of CNRS.

Scientific representatives agreed that the signing of the agreement could open up new perspectives for scientific and technological cooperation between France and Hungary, as well as further expand the international relations of the two parties. The missions of ELKH and CNRS are almost identical: to promote the development of their respective countries through science. In order to achieve this goal and to increase the innovation capacity of the Hungarian economy, it is essential to take inspiration from other successful international models.

In his speech at the signing ceremony, Miklós Maróth, President of ELKH, emphasized that CNRS serves as one of the main points of reference in the international scientific world due to its network structure, strategic operating model, funding system, cooperation with higher education institutions and economic exploitation of research results, which can also serve as a compass in the promotion of Hungarian research and development.

Alain Schuhl praised the research and innovation relations between the two countries, which are already good, and highlighted the specific joint research topics underway with the relevant ELKH research institutes. He also expressed hope for the further broadening of research collaborations.