20 Jun 2025
EC and Montenegro hold fourth Horizon Europe Joint R&I Committee meeting
The fourth EU-Montenegro Horizon Europe Joint Research and Innovation Committee meeting took place in Brussels. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Anne Haglund-Morrissey, Deputy Head of Unit for ‘International cooperation – Europe and Americas’, DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission, and by Marko Vukašinović, Director General of the Directorate for International Cooperation, European Integration, and European Union Funds at the Ministry of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro.
The EU co-chair highlighted the new political guidelines of European Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva, focusing on Startups, Research and Innovation, and its impact on the cooperation between the parties. The increased prioritisation of innovation, industrial competitiveness, and knowledge valorisation will be reflected in Horizon Europe calls as well. New initiatives, like the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the upcoming European Research Area Act and Innovation Act were presented in more detail.
The Montenegrin side presented the latest updates on the country’s R&I policy landscape, such as the recently adopted Law on Scientific Research Activities and Strategy for Scientific Research Activities, and their national support measures including a call for encouraging Montenegrin participation in the Horizon Europe programme.
The two sides discussed the implementation of the Horizon Europe association agreement, such as the increasing participation of Montenegrin researchers and research entities in the Programme, and how participation could grow even further. In addition, the implementation of the reciprocity principle was examined.
The two parties reviewed participation opportunities in the upcoming Horizon Europe Work Programmes, with a special focus on the WIDERA programme part, European Partnerships including Joint Undertakings and the progress made by Podgorica as a Mission city. In addition, the broad activities of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology in Montenegro, opportunities provided by the European Innovation Council and the Western Balkans Growth Plan were presented.
Both parties acknowledged Montenegro’s achievements in the implementation of its Smart Specialisation Strategy, its broad range of policy initiatives supported by the Innovation Fund and its efforts to increase participation in Horizon Europe.
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