Skopje, 28 April 2023 (MIA) – The Macedonian Government is ready to fulfill the requirements necessary for effective participation in research programs so that North Macedonia can be integrated within the European Research Area and contribute to it, said Deputy Prime Minister in charge of European affairs Bojan Marichikj in his address Friday at the bilateral screening meeting on Chapter 25 – Science and Research, in Brussels.

“The EU negotiations kick off of a new cycle in the development of science and research in North Macedonia and provide a good framework and great motivation to continue down our path,” said Marichikj.

According to the Secretariat for European Affairs, in his address, Chief EU Negotiator Marichikj summed up the reforms and work done in this area so far.

“North Macedonia is in the final stage of the development of the Smart Specialization Strategy, in line with the EU’s standard methodology, and is in continued communication with the Joint Research Centre. The adoption of the Strategy and the establishment of institutional infrastructure in support of the cooperation between academy and business is especially important to the creation of a competitive economy,” said Marichikj, adding that the country has also developed a national roadmap for research infrastructure and the Fund for Innovation and Technological Development, as an implementation agency, is continuously implementing activities related to granting funds for innovative projects by small and medium-sized enterprises.

Marichikj noted that the research budget has been doubled compared to the past two years and is aimed at financing research projects and infrastructure, both in the academic environment and in public research institutions.

“At the same time, research, and innovations are seen as means for a digital and green transformation of every society. As an EU member state, we will have the opportunity to fully participate in the EU’s research programs, which means the inclusion of Macedonian researches in large innovation, research and science projects,” said Marichikj.

The Chief EU Negotiator voiced his satisfaction with the fact that North Macedonia will host the 2023 Western Balkans Ministerial Meeting in Skopje on June 5-6, because, according to Marichikj “this meeting is of a political and strategic importance for our country, but also an opportunity for Western Balkan ministers, high representatives of the Commission, and other relevant stakeholders to participate in a significant discussion and develop even deeper connections and cooperation.”

The Secretariat for European Affairs said that North Macedonia has been a full-fledged member of the EU’s Horizon Europe program for research and innovations since January 2021, in which it participates under the same rules and obligations as the EU member states.

The bilateral screening meeting was attended by representatives of the Working Group led by the Ministry of Education and Science as the main institution for Chapter 25, as well as representatives of the Ministry of Economy, the Fund for Innovation and Technological Development, the State Office of Industrial Property, experts from the academic community, and the State Commission for the Prevention of Corruption.

At the meeting they presented the legal framework, the level of harmonization, institutional framework and future plans in the areas of science, research and innovation policies, gender balance, the concept of open science, protection of industrial property in the context of research and development, participation in EU programs and cooperation with other European and international networks, bodies, and agencies.

The next meeting on the bilateral screening agenda of Cluster 3 – Competitiveness and Inclusive Growth, is on Chapter 19 – Social Policy and Employment, and will be held on May 10-12.

As part of his working visit to Brussels, the Deputy PM will meet with the acting director for the Western Balkans at the Directorate for Neighborhood and Enlargement Negotiations, Michela Matuella, and with Simon Mordue, Foreign Policy Advisor of the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.