EU and Western Balkans countries endorse recommendations for collaboration in R&I

Ministers from ten countries of the Western Balkans have endorsed recommendations to advance the region’s integration into the EU’s research and innovation ecosystem at a meeting with Ekaterina Zaharieva, Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, in Podgorica (Montenegro) on 20/10/2025.

The recommendations aim to align the policies of Western Balkan countries with major EU initiatives, including the European Research Area Act, the European Innovation Act, and the Start-up and Scale-up Strategy.

Participants emphasised the importance of research infrastructures and artificial intelligence in science and the role of smart specialisation strategies in addressing the challenges of both the green and digital transitions. The conclusions of the ministerial meeting include commitments to support private sector engagement through funding, capacity building, and skills development.

Implementing the Western Balkans Growth Plan, which is supported by the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, a new performance-based financing instrument with up to €6 Bn for 2024-2027, is…