Moldova will become an associated member of the FP7 program. On Tuesday, December 27, the parliamentarians ratified the Memorandum on Moldova’s association to the EU’s 7th Framework Program for Research and Technological Development (2007-2013), Info-Prim Neo reports. President of the Academy of Sciences Gheorghe Duca told the Parliament's sitting that the approval of the memorandum would enable scientists to apply for European research programs. According to the academician, Moldova will obtain full membership of the European Research Space and will be able to cooperate and compete as an equal partner in all the contests announced by FP7. Moldova will become part of a European network of scientists, businessmen and decision makers that set the European goals and priorities in the domain of research and innovation. The association will allow Moldova to benefit from the European scientific potential and expertise to solve internal problems. Gheorghe Duca noted that the Program was the main tool for funding scientific research in Europe and had a budget of over €53 billion in 2007-2013. Participation in FP7 is open to a large variety of actors: universities, research centers, multinational corporations, public administration structure and individuals. The Memorandum will come into effect on January 1, 2012.