DRAFT AGENDA

15 February 2023

08:30 – 17:00

Registrations at Information Desk

Western Balkans Steering Platform Meeting on Education and Training

09:00 – 09:30

Welcome remarks and introduction

• Filip Van Depoele, Head of the International Unit, European Commission, DG Education and Culture
• Ruta Zarnauskaite, Head of Unit ‘Horizon Europe Association’, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation
• N.N., Swedish EU Council Presidency (tbc)
• N.N., outgoing Czech EU Council Presidency (tbc)
• N.N., North Macedonia, WB Co-chair on behalf of the Western Balkans

09:30 – 10:00

Main Policy Developments and Cooperation in Education, Training and Youth

• EC reports on latest developments (DG EAC):
  The European Master’s in Translation and its competence framework

10:00 – 10:15

Coffee Break

10:15 – 11:45

Western Balkans Agenda: Education, Training and Youth

• Update from all SP members based on progress reports
• ETF (tbc)
• UNICEF (tbc)
• WBAA (tbc)

11:45 – 12:00

Feed-back, Q&A, General Discussion

12:00 – 12:15

Closing remarks

• Filip Van Depoele, Head of the International Unit, European Commission, DG Education and Culture

12:15 – 13:30

Ministerial Meeting 2023

• European Commission Services
• North Macedonia Co-Host
• Western Balkan partners
• POLICY ANSWERS

13:30 – 14:30

Networking Lunch

Western Balkans Steering Platform Meeting on Research and Innovation (part1)

14:30 – 15:00

Welcome remarks and introduction

(session with remote participants)

• Ruta Zarnauskaite, Head of Unit ‘Horizon Europe Association’, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation
• Filip Van Depoele, Head of the International Unit, European Commission, DG Education and Culture
• N.N., European Commission, DG Joint Research Center
• N.N., North Macedonia, WB Co-chair on behalf of the Western Balkans

15:00 - 15:45

Western Balkans Agenda: Priorities/objectives in Research and Innovation with the Western Balkans

• EC reports on latest R&I developments
  (DG R&I, DG EAC, DG JRC, DG NEAR, DG CNECT, DG AGRI, DG REGIO;
  approx. 5 min each, with remote participants)

15.45 – 16:00

Coffee Break

16:00 – 17:00

Western Balkans Agenda: R&I developments in the Western Balkans (part 1)

• Western Balkans progress reports (AL, BA, XK*, 15 min each)
• General discussion and exchanges

17:00 – 18:00

Western Balkans Agenda: R&I developments in the Western Balkans (part 2)

• Western Balkans progress reports (MK, ME, RS, 15 min each)
• General discussion and exchanges

18:00 – 20:00

Bilateral discussions

20:00 – 22:00

Networking Dinner
(Venue tbc)

16 February 2023

08:30 – 16:00

Registrations at Information Desk

Western Balkans Steering Platform Meeting on Research and Innovation (part2)

09:00 – 10:30

Western Balkans Agenda: R&I cooperation with the Western Balkans

Update from EU Member States and SP members based on progress reports
(5 min each)

• EU MS reports on bilateral /regional measures (tbc)
• RCC reports on latest activities (tbc)
• Progress report of the CEI (tbc)
• COST updates
• EEN, EUREKA, EIT, EIC, Berlin Process etc.
• General discussion

10:30 – 11:15

Strengthening R&I capacity in the Western Balkans
(session with remote participants)

• Horizon Europe - upcoming opportunities
• POLICY ANSWERS updates and capacity building activities
• Elettra Sincrotrone Trieste scholarships
• European Business Network – Innovation cooperation opportunities, Laura Lecci, Chief Executive Officer

11:15 – 11:30

Concluding remarks and next steps

Ruta Zarnauskaite, Head of Unit ‘Horizon Europe Association’, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation

11:30 – 11:45

Coffee Break

Workshop on the new European Research Area

11:45 – 11:50

Welcome remarks and introduction

• Ruta Zarnauskaite, Head of Unit ‘Horizon Europe Association’, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation
• ERA Head of Unit (tbc)

11:50 – 13:30

Priorities and governance of the New European Research Area
(session with remote participants)

• ERA policy agenda for 2022-2024
• ERA Actions and Structural Funds support - ADRION
• POLICY ANSWERS ERA Reports, N.N., DLR

13:30 – 13:45

General Discussion and Conclusions

Ruta Zarnauskaite, Head of Unit ‘Horizon Europe Association’, European Commission, DG Research and Innovation

13:45 – 14:45

Networking lunch

Seminar

14:45 – 15:45

Digital Europe Programme
(session with remote participants)

• N.N., European Commission, DG Communications Networks, Content and Technology
• Feedback from Western Balkans (AL, XK, MK, ME, RS)

15:45 – 16:00

Closing remarks

N.N, EC

16:00 – 17:00

Farewell reception and bilateral talks

(Venue tbc)