Lithuania will formally apply to become a full member of CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said on Friday.
“Lithuanian scientists, students and companies in innovative sectors have already experienced the benefits of associate membership. Full membership would further broaden the horizon of opportunities, allowing Lithuania to have a stronger voice in shaping European innovation policy and to strengthen our competences in high-value-added sectors,” Sinkevičius said.
Full membership would remove restrictions currently applied to associate members, the government said, adding that the formal request to CERN will be submitted shortly.
Lithuania has held associate membership since 2018, during which time Lithuanian scientists, doctoral students and interns have taken part in the organisation’s work, and Lithuanian companies have been able to bid for CERN contracts.
Securing full membership is a stated goal in the government’s programme. President Gitanas Nausėda has separately said Lithuania wants to deepen cooperation with CERN, particularly in artificial intelligence, advanced detector systems and quantum technologies.
