The acting Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation, Arbërie Nagavci, has held several bilateral meetings within the framework of the Ministerial Meeting of the Steering Platform on Research and Innovation that was held in Podgorica.

In this context, Minister Nagavci met with the European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation, Ms. Ekaterina Zaharieva, where she emphasized that research and innovation are among the main priorities of the Government of Kosova.

She mentioned the consolidation of the National Science Council and the adoption of the National Science Program 2023–2028, which represent important steps towards the development of the research and innovation system in accordance with European standards.

The Minister presented as positive steps, Kosovo’s participation in the Horizon Europe program, the increasing participation in the COST Association of the research community in the country and the approximation to the European research area.

Further, Minister Nagavci met with the Minister of Education, Science and Innovation of Montenegro, Ms. Andjela Jaksic Stojanovic, where they discussed inter-university cooperation and the increase of academic mobility through existing academic exchange programs. Both ministers expressed their readiness for a cooperation agreement in the field of education, science and innovation.

Also, Minister Nagavci met with the President of the COST Association, Prof. Ase Gornitzka, with whom she discussed the successes of the research community in Kosovo in the COST Association.

Kosovo has been participating in the COST program since 2018. The research community from Kosovo now participates in around 52% of existing COST projects, a very promising percentage that demonstrates the commitment, professionalism and contribution of our researchers to international multidisciplinary projects.