EU and Western Balkan partners deepen research and innovation cooperation to support EU integration

Agreed at the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation in Brussels, the declaration sets out a common ambition to strengthen research careers, boost innovation ecosystems and prepare a new joint Action Plan among the EU and the six Western Balkans partners: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia. The meeting was hosted by Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva and co-chaired by Ireland's Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless.

Commissioner Zaharieva said: “With the endorsement of this joint declaration, we are opening a new chapter in EU-Western Balkans cooperation in research and innovation. Together, we will develop concrete actions to strengthen research excellence, support innovation and bring the region closer to the European Union."

Held under the theme 'Research and Innovation as accelerators for EU integration', the meeting focused on how closer research cooperation can support the Western Balkans partners' EU integration. Discussions centred on two key areas: research careers and innovation ecosystems. Commissioner Zaharieva also presented a dedicated innovation award to young innovators from the region.

“The research and innovation cooperation is an excellent example of gradual integration for EU candidate countries. It is a win-win for both sides already ahead of EU membership”, said Commissioner for Enlargement, Marta Kos.

This year's meeting also marked the 20th anniversary of the Steering Platform on Research and Innovation, a forum that since 2006 has brought together the European Commission, the representatives from six Western Balkans partners, EU Member States and the wider research and innovation community. Over two decades, it has helped build trust, deepen cooperation and support the full association of six Western Balkans partners to successive EU research programmes.

The partnership is already producing results. The Western Balkan partners have secured around €237 million under Horizon Europe across more than 1,000 projects involving the region.