Dear readers,

We are happy to present to you the 5th edition of the WBC-INCO.NET Journal on Co-ordination of Research Policies with the Western Balkan Countries, published on the occasion of the 8th meeting of the Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan countries on June 24 in Belgrade, Serbia.

Following an update on the conclusions of the past Steering Platform meeting, we are presenting you the new European Commission and its focal points on page 2. Concerning news from WBC-INCO.NET, we would like to point out our articles on the take-up of WBC Research Priorities by relevant funding programmes and the presentation of one of our project partners, the South-East European Research Centre.

As usual, one page each in this journal is dedicated to S&T news from the Western Balkan countries. Furthermore, this edition covers the international cooperation strategies for the Danube region and the Mediterranean. An additional page is dedicated to research policy and capacities in Kosovo (under UNSCR 1244). Last but not least, we are updating you on the preliminary outcome of the SEE-ERA.NET PLUS Joint Call (see p.15).

We are always happy to hear from you, to receive your feedback as well as your input for possible news articles and event announcements. Please feel free to contact us at office@wbc-inco.net.

To register for our biweekly WBC-INCO.NET eJournal, please go to:
http://www.wbc-inco.net/ejournal/list.

Silvo Korez and Katarina Rohsmann ■ office@wbc-inco.net