Brussels, 2 December 2025 (MIA) - Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska will take part at high-level event dedicated to smart specialization strategies in the EU enlargement process, hosted by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission.

Minister Janevska will address roundtable discussion "Smart Specialisation processes in the Western Balkans: key achievements and experiences", presenting the results of the 2024-2025 Action Plan of the Smart Specialisation Strategy.

EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos and JRC Director General Bernard Magenhann will deliver the opening remarks at the event themed "Fostering New Avenues of Innovation and Growth".

During the last decade, Smart Specialisation has become one of the core strategic approaches to research and innovation (R&I), as well as an effective policy instrument for higher competitiveness and increasing opportunities in the EU. Following the success of Smart Specialisation across Europe, EU Enlargement candidate countries have also chosen to develop Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) to strengthen their innovation ecosystems, drive socio-economic transformation or promote regional cooperation – all essential for the future of the region and its path towards EU integration.

The EU Enlargement process presents opportunities and challenges for EU Enlargement countries. Effective integration requires robust strategies for economic development and innovation. Currently, Smart Specialisation represents a key pillar in the EU accession process, reflected in the Chapter 25 of the EU acquis.  As of today, all EU Enlargement countries have gradually committed to S3 development and are currently either designing or implementing their Strategies. The Joint Research Centre of (JRC) of the European Commission has been actively supporting them through practical guidance and targeted analyses related to their S3 institutional and administrative capacity, say the organizers.

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