Montenegro is firmly committed to smart specialization and the development of research infrastructure as the basis for its transformation and contribution to the vision of an innovative and competitive Europe, said the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation, Anđela Jakšić-Stojanović.
Montenegro today hosted the first day of the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Research and Innovation Platform. The meeting is taking place today and tomorrow, organized by the European Commission, the Presidency of the Council of the EU and Montenegro.
The Platform represents the operational mechanism of the Western Balkans Agenda for Innovation, Research, Education, Culture, Youth and Sport (WB Agenda), launched by the European Union (EU) with the aim of promoting scientific excellence.
Jakšić-Stojanović said that Montenegro remains firmly committed to smart specialization and the development of research infrastructure as key pillars of its transformation.
"Our message is clear - we are ready to contribute to the shared vision of an innovative and competitive Europe, and the bridges we are building today are the foundations of a common European future," said Jakšić-Stojanović.
European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva stressed that she was extremely pleased that the ministers gathered in Podgorica, as this is a key moment for strengthening the partnership between the EU and the Western Balkans in the field of research and innovation.
"The EU and Montenegro are strong partners in the field of innovation and research. Montenegro has been participating in our framework programmes since 2008. Since then, it has made impressive progress. We have a common task ahead of us: to turn the brilliant science and entrepreneurial spirit of this region into an engine of economic growth," said Zaharieva.
The EU Ambassador to Montenegro, Johan Sattler, emphasized that positive dynamics are clearly visible in the Western Balkan countries.
He said that, halfway through the Horizon Europe program, applicants from the region have already secured around 180 million euros through more than 500 projects, which is an extraordinary success that demonstrates the strength of cooperation in the field of research and innovation.
"From digital solutions for agriculture to advances in healthcare and maritime technologies, the Western Balkans are proving their capacity to contribute to Europe's scientific excellence," stressed Ambassador Sattler.
Minister of European Affairs, Maida Gorčević, announced that Montenegro remains firmly committed to completing the negotiation process by the end of next year, which would pave the way for full membership by 2028.
"In this context, we recognize the transformative power of research and innovation for economic growth, sustainable development and social cohesion. We see science not only as a driver of technological excellence, but also as a key bridge towards European integration," said Gorčević.
Jakšić-Stojanović highlighted, among other things, numerous public calls for scientists and researchers.
She spoke about Montenegro's expected accession to ELI ERIC (the most advanced European infrastructure in the field of laser and photonic science), and presented the MONUSEN project - the first Horizon Europe project coordinated by a Montenegrin institution, which led to 27 scientific papers and three patents, and deals with seabed research.
Also, Montenegro is recording historic success through the CENNA project, focused on smart environmental monitoring.
The Government of Montenegro, as stated, is systematically investing in artificial intelligence through national research calls that support this topic and strategic documents.
Jakšić-Stojanović also presented Montenegro's results in implementing the Smart Specialization Strategy, emphasizing that Montenegro was the first country outside the EU to adopt this document back in 2019, and that the second one is currently being drafted (2026–2031).
"So far, 168 million euros have been invested, including the establishment of the Innovation Fund, the construction of the Science and Technology Park in Podgorica, the strengthening of Tehnopolis in Nikšić, and the opening of the House of the Digital Revolution," the statement said.
Participants highlighted the importance of further cooperation, the development of research infrastructure and smart specialization strategies to address the challenges of the green and digital transition, as well as the role of artificial intelligence in science.
The conclusions of the plenary part of the ministerial meeting include, among other things, a commitment to stronger connections between academia and industry.
"Although our research and innovation spending still ranges between 0,2 and one percent of GDP, our common goal of reaching three percent is not a dream, it is a direction. Every investment in knowledge brings us closer to a stronger, more competitive and more connected region," concluded Jakšić-Stojanović.
The event, aimed at integrating the region into the EU research system, brought together EU representatives, ministers from the region, as well as representatives of the scientific, innovation and business communities.
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