13 Mar 2025
EU and Albania hold 3rd HEU Joint Research & Innovation Committee Meeting
On 12 March 2025, the third EU-Albania Horizon Europe Joint Research and Innovation Committee meeting took place in Tirana, Albania. 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 Ms. Ana Kapaj, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Education and Sport in Albania. The Joint Committee Meeting was hosted by Albania.
The EU co-chair highlighted the new portfolio of Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva and the increased prioritisation of innovation, industrial competitiveness, and knowledge valorisation. In addition, the EU side referred to several policy priorities of Commissioner Zaharieva, such as reaching the 3% GERD target in the EU, proposing a European Research Area Act, developing a long-term strategy to boost European Research Infrastructures and a European Innovation Act to streamline the current regulatory framework and facilitate access to venture capital.
The Albanian side presented the latest updates on the country’s R&I policy landscape, such as the approval of the Smart Specialisation Strategy, the law on Science and Scientific Research as well as the National Strategy for Scientific Research, Technology, and Innovation. In addition, Albania introduced Durana Tech Park, TEDA Tirana, the first free economic zone of the country, and Nanobalkan, a virtual centre of nanoscience and nanotechnology.
The two sides discussed the implementation of the Horizon Europe association agreement, such as the increased participation of Albania in the Programme, and how to further build on this positive trend. In addition, the implementation of reciprocity principle was examined. The two parties reviewed participation opportunities in the Marie-Sklodowska Curie Actions, the importance of providing appropriate data to the European Innovation Scoreboard, the achievements of Elbasan, being one of the Climate-neutral and Smart Cities, recent activities of the EIT, as well as the role of NCP networks. In addition, the Western Balkans Growth Plan was presented.
Both parties acknowledged Albania’s efforts in supporting innovation ecosystems, the increasing participation of Albanian entities in Horizon Europe and noted the positive trend of R&I investment in the country.
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