The Serbian flag was raised today at a ceremony on the Esplanade des Particules to mark the country’s accession as CERN’s 23rd Member State. The ceremony was attended by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia, Ana Brnabić, the President of the CERN Council, Ursula Bassler, and the CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti, together with representatives of CERN’s Member and Associate Member States and the CERN community.

“The 23rd of April is a great day for Serbia and its science, as the flag of the Republic of Serbia is officially hoisted in front of CERN in Geneva, marking Serbia’s accession as its 23rd full Member. This will allow our researchers to work in higher capacity and on a global level with their colleagues from CERN, while enabling our economy to participate in CERN projects on a larger scale. Membership in CERN presents Serbia in the best light, as a modern, competitive country whose economic development increasingly relies on science and innovation, driven by our young scientists and innovators,” said Ana Brnabić, Prime Minister of the Republic of Serbia.

“This is the moment when the commitment of a new Member State becomes visible: the commitment to support fundamental science, to foster peaceful collaboration and to engage in multilateral initiatives for the benefit of all. We are pleased to raise the Serbian flag among those of our Member States,” said Ursula Bassler, President of the CERN Council.

“It is a great pleasure to welcome Serbia to the CERN family. This day recognises the long history of fruitful scientific cooperation between Serbia and CERN, and Serbia’s commitment to fundamental research. We look forward to strengthening our collaboration in particle physics, innovation, and training and education of the young generations, with Serbia as a Member State,” said Fabiola Gianotti, CERN Director-General.