The Austrian Federal Ministry of Science, Research and Economy (BMWFW) supports manifold activities to stimulate the RTI cooperation with the countries in the Western Balkan region. The Department for International Research Co-operation (V/6) is in charge of Austrian bilateral and multilateral cooperation activities worldwide. It is the co-ordination node for bilateral, multilateral and regional initiatives for academic research projects, research programmes as well as international S&T agreements. Furthermore it is responsible for the Offices for Science and Technology Austria (OSTA) abroad, for Austrian membership in international organisations and  for Austrian initiatives in the area of development research.

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Because of its geographical location, Austria has deep roots and excellent historically grown relations with the Balkan region. Therefore the BMWFW has an active role in supporting the integration of the WBC into the European Research Area and in building sustainable structures to increase their participation in the EU-Framework Programme “Horizon 2020”. Together with the EC, the BMWFW launched the “Steering Platform on Research for the Western Balkan Countries” in 2006 in the course of the Austrian EU presidency. The BMWFW is also deeply involved in the EU-Strategy for the Danube Region especially in its Priority Area “Knowledge Society”. In addition the BMWFW leads the Work Package “Policy Dialogue” in the Danube-INCO.NET.