2nd EU – North Macedonia Joint R&I Committee Meeting under Horizon Europe

The second meeting of the Horizon Europe EU-North Macedonia Joint Research and Innovation Committee took place on 6 June 2024 under the co-chairmanship of Ms. Anne Haglund-Morrissey, Deputy Head of Unit of the Horizon Europe Association Unit (DG RTD) and Ms. Biljana Trajkovska, State Advisor on Strategic planning, Ministry of Education and Science of North Macedonia. 

The meeting offered a good occasion for the EU to recall the importance of the Horizon Europe programme for the country’s researchers and its innovation ecosystem, especially in the context of North Macedonia being an EU candidate country. 

The EC side welcomed the very good progress of North Macedonia in Horizon Europe so far (also since the last JCM on 17 October 2022) and highlighted the steps forward that North Macedonia has made in line with the Commission’s strategic priorities, especially as regards the green and digital transitions. The European Commission is ready to continue to assist capacity building efforts in North Macedonia notably through support to its integration into the European Research and Innovation Areas.

Some of the key highlights and conclusions of the JCM include the participation of North Macedonia in Horizon Europe and the implementation of the principle of reciprocity, integration into the ERA actions, where North Macedonia is engaged in 6 ERA Working Groups, the implementation of the national support measures and innovation support schemes in line with the Reform Agenda and activation of its NCP network as well as  the good results of the EIT Regional RIS Hub which has been successful in the EIT Jumpstarter scheme. 

The next Horizon Europe Joint Committee Meeting will take place in 2025.

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International cooperation with North Macedonia