The WLCG is a network of computing centres distributed across more than 40 countries that provides global computing resources for the storage, distribution and analysis of the data generated by the LHC.

This complex network is organised in tiers: Tier 0 is the CERN Data Centre; Tier 1 centres are powerful computing farms capable of providing permanent storage of raw data; and Tier 2 centres are additional data centres located in various collaborating institutes worldwide. The MoU signed on 9 December in Serbia marks a decisive step towards the country becoming a WLCG Tier 1 centre. The Serbian data centre will initially receive data from the CMS experiment, of which Serbia is a member.

“The signature of this MoU is a testimony to the vision of the Serbian government and the Serbian scientific community and their commitment towards the CERN research programme, and vice versa,” said Enrica Porcari, head of the CERN IT department, who signed the MoU. “We are impressed by the computing infrastructure that Serbia is making available to the Worldwide LHC Computing Grid, and, in particular, to the CMS collaboration. I am sure that this MoU will consolidate even further the longstanding relationship between CERN and Serbia and will contribute to realising our common vision to become a springboard for scientific collaboration here and worldwide. CERN continues to be committed to the co-development and sharing of knowledge with its MoU partners in the spirit of scientific progress.”