Regional conference for European integration

TIRANA, June 21 – A preparatory meeting for the Ministerial Conference on the Regional Strategy for Research and Development for Innovation for Western Balkans will be held in Zagreb, Croatia in July. It is organised by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat, as an opportunity for a substantial discussion on future scope of activities and optimal module for implementation of the Regional Strategy for Research and Development for Innovation (RSRDI) for Western Balkans.
The meeting will gather representatives of respective ministries from the Western Balkan countries, representatives of the World Bank and European Commission, as well as representatives of the RCC Secretariat.
The objective is to interconnect national research and innovation systems, thus promoting competitiveness of the region.
The ministerial conference is envisaged to take place in November 2011, in Belgrade, Serbia.
Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC), said that “The rapprochement process should be as inclusive as possible, involving wide social groups, such as parliamentarians, civil society and the media, in order for it to be irreversible. The upcoming conclusion of accession talks with Croatia should serve as an impetus for the region to continue with necessary reforms and take up a historical responsibility to solve the remaining open issues in South East Europe, given the changes on the international agenda.”