The Minister of Industry, Entrepreneurship, Trade and Innovation, Mimoza Kusari-Lila, together with the First Deputy Minister of Education and Science, Përparim Kryeziu, and the Ambassador of Kosovo to Brussels, Agron Bajrami, held a meeting with the European Commissioner for Start-ups, Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva, following the adoption of the Joint Declaration between the European Union and the Western Balkans partners on strengthening cooperation in research and innovation.
The meeting discussed advancing cooperation with the European Union and increasing the participation of Kosovo’s researchers, universities and innovative businesses in European programs, especially the Europe Horizon program. Attention was also paid to the further development of the Innovation Fund and the creation of opportunities for supporting innovative ideas and enterprises.
MIETI emphasized the importance of advancing the Law on Innovation and creating sustainable financing mechanisms to support research, development and innovative enterprises from the early stages to their expansion into the market. In this regard, the strengthening of the role of women in innovation was also highlighted, as well as the importance of vocational education and training, including dual education, for preparing young people according to the needs of the labour market.
One of the issues discussed was Kosovo’s inclusion in the European Union. Innovation Scoreboard, through improving data collection and processing, performance measurement, and policy design that support the development of the innovation ecosystem.
Cooperation with European partners and investments in research and innovation aim to create conditions for Kosovo’s potential to be transformed into competitive ideas, products and businesses, opening new opportunities for economic development and to young people in the country.
