22 Oct 2026
Research and innovation deepen EU–Western Balkans cooperation
Research and innovation are advancing the Western Balkans’ European integration, ministers and representatives stressed at the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation. The European Union and the Western Balkan partners have endorsed a joint declaration to step up cooperation in research and innovation, reaffirming their shared commitment to the region’s path towards EU membership.
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.
European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva described the Western Balkans as an integral part of Europe, highlighting mutual interests and the need to remove barriers to collaboration. Integration was already a reality through Horizon Europe, with which all Western Balkan partners are associated. Researchers from the region participate in more than 1,000 projects. Albania, she noted, has provisionally closed its EU accession chapter on science and research.
Representing the Irish EU Council Presidency, Minister James Lawless called for stronger cooperation amid geopolitical tensions. He reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to European competitiveness and EU enlargement.
Austria’s Deputy Permanent Representative, Ambassador Franz Wirtenberger, showcased AUT-BOKU 2030, a partnership between BOKU University and the Agricultural University of Tirana. Backed by a four-year ministerial memorandum and approximately €3 million, it exemplifies science diplomacy and Austria’s support for regional integration.
Six companies were recognised at an award ceremony under the Innovation Advisers’ Scheme, highlighting their commitment to innovation and the development of promising business ideas. The awards were presented to Ledjon Agalliu of LekoTech, Marija Stojaković of NanoPoli Centre, Arbnora Kllokoqi of Mendje, Danilo Marić of LoRaSi, Violeta Shoshevska of Drilltek, and Ljubiša Vulić of Ultrasound AIssistant. The ceremony celebrated the selected companies and their efforts to turn innovative ideas into practical solutions.
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