The founder of the institute, academician Miroslav Radman, and Assistant Science and Education Minister Slobodan Uzelac, Split University Chancellor Ivan Pavic and Split Mayor Zvonimir Puljic signed an agreement on mutual rights and obligations.
Assistant Minister Uzelac said that the delayed handover of the complex to be used by the institute and the start of work of the institute, announced for September last year, was due to technical problems which occurred during reconstruction works. The project of the Mediterranean Institute for Life Studies was launched in 2001.
The government has thus created conditions for the institute to start working, and the equipment is to be provided by Radman.
The first two laboratories, to be headed by professor Ivan Djikic and Radman, should be equipped by this autumn.
"The laboratories should start working early in the autumn, probably already in September," Radman said, adding that the necessary funds and equipment had been secured.
By that time, five to six seminars are expected to take place at MediLs, the first being a meeting of the International Scientific Council, which includes a number of Nobel prize winners and prominent international experts.
Radman recalled the numerous problems surrounding the project since its conception, which he said had been removed. He dismissed claims in some media describing him as a science mogul trying to privatise the institute.
Details on cooperation between Split University and MediLs will be agreed in talks to follow.
Assistant Minister Uzelac said that by handing over the military complex to the institute the Science and Education Ministry had met its financial obligations towards the institute, but that it would continue supporting its projects through cooperation with Split University.