Cross-border · Research collaboration
EU and Western Balkan partners endorse joint declaration to step up research cooperation
The European Union and its Western Balkan partners have endorsed a joint declaration to intensify research and innovation cooperation, linking it to the region's path towards EU membership.
Why it matters: The EU and the Western Balkan partners have jointly committed to closer research and innovation cooperation, tied to the region's path towards EU membership.
The European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation said on 22 October 2026 that the EU and the Western Balkan partners had endorsed a joint declaration on research and innovation.
According to the Commission, the declaration sets out the two sides' intention to step up their cooperation in research and innovation.
The Commission said the declaration reaffirms a shared commitment to the region's path towards EU membership.
Editor’s view
Joseph Lopez, Collaboration Editor
The EU and the Western Balkan partners have endorsed a joint commitment to step up research and innovation cooperation, which the Commission links to the region's path towards EU membership.
