EU and Western Balkans strengthen research and innovation ties to support EU integration

The European Union and its Western Balkan partners have taken an important step toward closer research and innovation cooperation, with a new joint declaration that will support the region’s path to EU membership

Agreed on 22 October 2026 at a ministerial meeting in Brussels, the declaration highlights the importance of research, innovation, and collaboration in strengthening links between the EU and the Western Balkans.

A new commitment to cooperation

The declaration was approved at the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation. It sets out a shared ambition to strengthen research careers, develop innovation ecosystems and prepare a new joint Action Plan.

The initiative involves the EU and six Western Balkan partners: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.

Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, hosted the meeting, and James Lawless, Ireland’s Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, co-chaired it.

Discussions focused on how stronger research and innovation partnerships can help the region progress towards EU integration while creating new opportunities for researchers, businesses and young innovators.

Supporting research and innovation

The meeting focused on research careers and innovation ecosystems as two of its main priorities.

Improving opportunities for researchers and supporting innovation are key steps toward building a more competitive and connected European research community. Closer cooperation could also help the Western Balkan partners strengthen their research capabilities, encourage new ideas and develop innovative solutions to shared challenges.

The meeting also recognised the achievements of young innovators from the region, with Commissioner Zaharieva presenting a dedicated innovation award to celebrate their contributions.

Twenty years of regional partnership

The meeting marked the 20th anniversary of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation, established in 2006.

Over the past two decades, the platform has brought together the European Commission, representatives from the six Western Balkan partners, EU Member States and the wider research and innovation community.

It has played an important role in building trust, strengthening relationships and helping the region participate more fully in EU research programmes.

Horizon Europe delivers results

The partnership has already generated significant results through Horizon Europe, the EU’s research and innovation funding programme.

The Western Balkan partners have secured approximately €237 million in funding across more than 1,000 projects involving the region. This shows the growing contribution of regional researchers and organisations to European research collaboration.