Programme: 
RRS_Agenda.doc (131.50 KB)
The Ministerial Conference - Developing Regional Research Strategy for the Western Balkans will take
place at the premises of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat in Sarajevo on 24 April 2009. This
conference will be co-organised by the Czech Republic Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the RCC.
The event will gather Ministers responsible for science and education of the RCC members from South East Europe, the
EU Commissioner for Science and Research, Mr. Janez Potocnik, as well as the representatives of other relevant
international organisations and respective stakeholders.
Building up a society based on knowledge is a challenge that many countries face, including those of the Western
Balkans region. It is the idea of a society that puts knowledge at its core and increases peoples` awareness of the
more effective means for using their competences. It has been widely recognized that many reforms have to be
introduced to support further development of all three pillars that constitute the triangle of knowledge (education,
research and innovation). Special emphasis should be given to provide for a strong synergy among these pillars that
are defined as the most important prerequisites for setting firm foundation of the knowledge based society, which
would irreversibly lead to sustainable social and economic development. However, development of the each of the three
pillars individually is also of particular importance.
Having recognized the need for fostering further cooperation in the field of research, seven RCC members from the
Western Balkans agreed that cooperation in the field of research should be addressed in a strategic manner that will
help develop a roadmap the countries of the region will follow jointly. Respective ministries endorsed the idea of
establishment of the Regional Research Strategy, which will be, on one hand an important step towards joining
strengths in the field of research, and on the other would help improving national research systems through providing
input based on the exchange of experience and good, effective practices.
The Czech Republic Presidency of the Council of the European Union and the RCC have both placed the issue of the
cooperation in the field of research in the area of Western Balkans high on their priority agenda and decided to put
efforts in assisting the Western Balkans start this challenging, but multi beneficiary task for the region.
The Ministerial Conference in Sarajevo will promote the project of Regional Research Strategy for the Western
Balkans, as the highly important tool for establishment of the framework which will enable necesary
communication and cooperation among scientific and research communities of the Western Balkans.
