Skopje, 20 October 2025 (MIA) — To support scientific research and boost technological development, the government will establish the country's first science and technology park in 2026, Minister of Education and Science Vesna Janevska said Monday at a panel discussion during the two-day Ministerial Meeting of the Western Balkans steering platform on Research and Innovation taking place in Podgorica, Montenegro.

According to the Ministry of Education and Science in a press release, Minister Janevska said the state had recently provided funding for scientific research amounting to EUR 9.7 million for 103 projects aimed at developing laboratory resources, including Goce Delchev University's AMBICON lab. She also highlighted the establishment of the state university's INNOFAIT European Digital Innovation Hub, financed through the state budget and equal funding from the EU.

"I am delighted to announce that last week the EU decided Macedonia would join the European Network of AI Excellence Centers through the state university's Vezilka project," Janevska said, adding that the EUR 6 million project would provide access to European supercomputers to local researchers, institutions and companies so they can use AI.

The education minister also spoke about the newly formed INOVA independent institution aimed at supporting innovative small and medium-sized enterprises and implementing the state's Smart Specialization Strategy.

During the two-day ministerial meeting, the ministers will also discuss the EU's Growth Plan for the Western Balkans as well as using AI in scientific research.

Janevska is attending the meeting together with Minister of Digital Transformation Stefan Andonovski.

She is scheduled to hold bilateral meetings with the EU Commissioner for Startups, Research and Innovation Ekaterina Zaharieva, the European Commission's Joint Research Center director Sabine Henzler, European Cooperation in Science and Technology president Åse Gornitzka and Montenegro's Minister of Education, Science and Innovation Angela Jaksic Stojanovic, the release said. mr/