23 Apr 2026
EU and North Macedonia hold third Joint Research and Innovation Committee meeting
On 16 April 2026, the European Commission's Diectorate-General for Research and Innovation and representatives of North Macedonia held the third EU-North Macedonia Joint Research and Innovation (R&I) Committee meeting under Horizon Europe in Brussels. The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Mina Stareva, Deputy Head of Unit for ‘International cooperation – Europe and Americas’, DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission, and Ms. Ksenija Hadji Toseva Avramcheva, Deputy Head of International Cooperation, Ministry of Education and Science of North Macedonia.
The meeting covered detailed presentations on new EU initiatives such as the EU Startup and Scaleup Strategy, the ERA Policy Actions 2025-2027, and the European AI in Science Strategy. The EC also presented the European Commission’s proposal for the FP10. North Macedonia presented the latest updates on the country’s R&I policy landscape, such as the adoption of the new national Law on Innovation Activity, Scientific and Technological Development, and Entrepreneurship in 2025, leading to the establishment of the national Agency for Innovation Activity, Scientific and Technological Development and Entrepreneurship (INOVA).
Participants also updated on recent statistics on North Macedonia’s participation in Horizon Europe calls and reviewed participation under specific Horizon Europe Actions. The European Commission presented funding opportunities under the 2026-2027 Work Programme. North Macedonian also provided information on the implementation of its national Smart Specialisation Strategy, especially the Action Plan 2026.
The next Horizon Europe Joint Committee Meeting will take place in Skopje in 2027.
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