WB Ministerial Meeting 2026

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Agenda

DRAFT AGENDA
Venue:  ´Robert Schuman` room, ground floor, Berlaymont Building, Rue de la Loi 200, 1049, Brussels, Belgium
Opening of the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation
09:00 – 09:05Opening of the Day
Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
09:05 – 09:15Welcome Remarks
Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Irish Council Presidency
Policy Debate on Research
09:15 – 09:25Keynote speech
09:25 – 09:30Introductory Remarks
Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
09:30 – 09:50Testimonials on Best Practices on Research
Moderated by Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Three WB economies and EU MS (TBC)
09:50 – 10:25Policy Debate
Chaired by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
Three WB economies (TBC)
10:25 – 10:30Main Takeaways of the Debate
Maria Cristina Russo, Deputy Director-General for Innovation, Prosperity and International Cooperation, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Celebrating 20 years of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation
Moderated by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
10:30 – 10:40Video and Success Stories (TBC)
10:40 – 10:50Family Pictures (details will follow)
10:50– 11:10Coffee Break
(Catering Area in front of Robert Schuman Room)
Policy Debate on Innovation
11:10– 11:20Keynote speech
Lead by JRC (TBC)
11:20– 11:25Introductory Remarks
Jean-David Malo, Director for Innovation, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
11:25– 11:45Testimonials on Best Practices on Innovation
Moderated by Jean-David Malo, Director for Innovation, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
Three WB economies and EU MS (TBC)
11:45– 12:20Policy Debate
Chaired by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
Three WB economies (TBC)
12:20– 12:25Main Takeaways of the Debate Jean-David Malo, Director for Innovation, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation
  
Western Balkans Innovators Ceremony
Moderated by Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
12:30– 12:45Award Ceremony to Best Selected Companies under the Innovation Advisers’ Scheme
(details will follow)
Closing of the Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans Steering Platform on Research and Innovation
12:45– 12:55James Lawless, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Irish Council Presidency
Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
12:55– 14:00Networking Lunch
(Catering Area in front of Robert Schuman Room)
At the crossroads of R&I futures in the Western Balkans
14:00– 15:00Foresight Workshop Debate (details will follow)
  
Following the conclusion of the programme in the Schuman Room, participants are warmly invited to make use of the networking opportunity available from 15:00 to 17:30, with EC-WB and other bilateral meetings arranged, on either the 9th or 7th floor of the Berlaymont Building. The day will conclude with a Gala Dinner for invited participants, providing a further opportunity for informal exchange and networking.
 
Coffee & Networking
15:00– 17:30Coffee & Networking
(Catering Area in front of Robert Schuman Room or on 7th Floor – TBC)
  
Gala Dinner
Venue to be confirmed – Only for invited participants – Dress Code: Business
19:00 – 21:00Ekaterina Zaharieva, European Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation
Western Balkans Delegations