First EU – Serbia Horizon Europe Joint Committee Meeting

On 15 June 2023, the first meeting of the EU-Serbia Joint R&I Committee Meeting under Horizon Europe took place in Brussels, co-chaired by Ms. Ruta Zarnauskaite, Head of Unit of the Horizon Europe Association Unit, and (after the first agenda points) by Ms. Anne Haglund-Morrissey, Deputy Head of Unit, the  European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, and Ivana Vukašinović, Assistant Minister, Sector for International Cooperation and European Integration, Ministry of Science, Technological Development and Innovation.

The meeting was hosted by the EC, DG Research and Innovation. The EC co-chair welcomed the EU and Serbian representatives, highlighted the great results of Serbia so far in Horizon Europe and welcomed Serbia’s ongoing national efforts in research and innovation and commitment to support the performance of its entities and researchers in the new programme.

The EU co-chair referred to the new association agreement as an important milestone in the EU-Serbia cooperation in the field of research and innovation. Association to Horizon Europe is seen in Serbia as a crucial building block towards its closer European integration.

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of Serbia’s participation in EU research programmes. Both sides also emphasised the significance of this longstanding cooperation, which builds on shared values and principles in R&I.

Key points addressed included the adoption and signature of the Rules of Procedures for the Joint Committee and an in-depth exchange on subjects pertinent to the association of Serbia to Horizon Europe such as strengthening R&I cooperation and further promote the integration of Serbia in the new ERA, the implementation of the reciprocity principle as well as discussions on how to encorage increased participation of Serbian entities in the different parts of the Horizon Europe programme.

The Serbian co-chair stressed that Serbia’s participation in Horizon Europe makes a significant contribution to scientific and technological developments and to the economy, it promotes Serbia’s industry and at the same time opens up opportunities for Serbian researchers and innovators in European markets.  

The next Joint Committee Meeting will take place in 2024.

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International cooperation with Serbia