On Monday 30 September and Tuesday 1 October, the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Iliana Ivanova, met the ministers of the Western Balkans in Skopje (North Macedonia).
Discussions focused on strengthening regional cooperation in the fields of education, research and innovation, as part of the European programme for the Western Balkans.
The ministers reaffirmed their commitment to further integrating the Western Balkans into the European education and research areas, and to supporting the green and digital transitions. The creation of Digital Innovation Hubs by 2025 and the funding of 400 research projects have been supported to promote technological development and competitiveness.
Discussions also focused on the central role of education in these transitions - with initiatives such as Erasmus+ and the European strategy for universities - and the strengthening of the cultural and creative sectors, thanks in particular to the Creative Europe programme. (Original version in French by Nithya Paquiry)