The European Union and Western Balkan countries have endorsed a declaration to step up cooperation in research and innovation, reaffirming shared commitment to the region’s path towards EU membership.
At Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation in Brussels, the declaration set 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.
“With the endorsement of this joint declaration, we are opening a new chapter in EU-Western Balkans cooperation in research and innovation”, said EU research Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva: “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 Enlargement Commissioner Marta Kos.
The meeting marked the 20th anniversary of the Steering Platform on Research and Innovation, a forum that since 2006 has brought together the 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.
