EU-Western Balkans: exchanges to deepen the cooperation on innovation, research and education

Iliana Ivanova, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, is in Skopje (North Macedonia) to exchange views with the ministers of the Western Balkans on the implementation of the countries' programme for innovation, research and education, on 30/09 and 01/10/2024.

During these exchanges, "the participants reaffirmed their desire to intensify cooperation with a view to further integrating the Western Balkans into the European education and research areas and into the European innovation programme", states the Commission.

On this subject, the Commissioner says on Linkedin: "We made good progress in deepening the EU and Western Balkans cooperation on innovation, research, education, etc. The ministerial meeting came at a pivotal time, aligning with efforts to enhance European competitiveness".

The discussions highlighted the following points in particular:

• The Western Balkans increased investments in R&I and the EU is here to support them further (Horizon Europe is funding projects worth €140 M and involving around 400 partners);
• Western Balkan countries…