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The six Western Balkan countries are gradually integrating into the European Union through their education, research, and innovation sectors, even before their potential accession. To accelerate this process, the eighth Joint Science Conference of the Berlin Process has issued a statement calling for a realignment of the EU’s approach to education, research, and innovation in the Western Balkans. The conference advocates for the unification of two key EU principles: excellence and solidarity. To operationalise this approach, the conference proposes the establishment of a “Western Balkans Facility for Skills, Research, and Innovation.” This facility would consolidate funds and instruments from various EU programmes. The statement was formulated in preparation for today’s 10th Western Balkans Summit of Heads of State and Government. The Berlin Process Joint Science Conference has been held since 2015 and is co-ordinated by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. The Joint Statement of the 60 conference participants, who convened under the motto “Courage for Future” at the Berlin State Library on 30 September and 1 October, was fed into the preparations for this year’s Western Balkans Summit of Heads of State and Government. For the establishment of the proposed “Western Balkans Facility for Skills, Research, and Innovation,” the Western Balkan countries would need to increase their share of GDP investment in this sector and align their strategies with the EU priorities of the European Research Area and the announced European Competitiveness Fund. Three key messages, along with additional scientific and societal policy recommendations, are included in the Joint Statement. Collectively, they aim to foster the gradual EU integration of the Western Balkan countries – Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and Serbia – through the support of education, research, and innovation, even prior to full EU membership. The association of these six countries to the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation should unite the principles of excellence promotion and solidarity, while being more responsive to the specific needs of the Western Balkans. Additionally, the statement highlights the increasing pressure on Western Balkan democracies from nationalism, populism, disinformation, and corruption. Safe public spaces for free and open societal discourse among intellectuals, cultural figures, and the public—such as found in academies, universities, and cultural institutions—are essential in countering these challenges. The Joint Statement of the eighth Berlin Process Joint Science Conference can be viewed here: www.leopoldina.org/en/statement-berlin-process-2024 The Berlin Process for the Western Balkans is a joint initiative of 16 European countries and the European Commission. The intergovernmental initiative, launched by the German government in 2014, supports the integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU and promotes regional cooperation in Southeast Europe. This year, the Berlin Process celebrates its tenth anniversary and Germany holds the rotating presidency. Since 2015, the Berlin Process has also included a dedicated pillar for science, education, research, innovation, and knowledge transfer, co-ordinated by the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina. The annual meeting of stakeholders and experts involved in this segment takes place in the form of the Berlin Process Joint Science Conference. Additional information about the Berlin Process Joint Science Conference: www.leopoldina.org/en/jsc Leopoldina on X: www.twitter.com/leopoldina Leopoldina on YouTube: www.youtube.com/@nationalakademieleopoldina About the German National Academy of Sciences Leopoldina |
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