Bilateral Cooperation

Bilateral research and innovation cooperation has become a strategic pillar of effective foreign policy and the development of robust research and innovation ecosystems. By fostering direct, two-party collaboration, bilateral partnerships enable nations to align strategic priorities, pool resources, and accelerate progress in ways that unilateral or multilateral initiatives often cannot.

Why does bilateral cooperation matter?

Bilateral frameworks offer agility and precision in addressing emerging global challenges, such as climate change, AI governance, and pandemics. They allow partners to:

• Leverage complementarity by combining strengths to create competitive advantages.
• Enhance accountability with clearer metrics, such as joint patents, co-publications, and knowledge exchange.
• Align with broader strategies, including the European Union’s internationalisation goals, which promote bilateral ties to de-risk supply chains and mitigate geopolitical fragmentation.

What are the key benefits of bilateral agreements?

Formalised through memoranda of understanding, joint funding programmes, or institutional partnerships, bilateral cooperation creates structured pathways for:

• Resource optimisation: shared funding, infrastructure, and expertise reduce duplication and maximise impact.
• Policy alignment: Direct negotiations enable tailored cooperation, from green energy transitions to digital sovereignty.
• Capacity building: researcher mobility programmes strengthen research and innovation ecosystems on both sides.
• Diplomatic leverage: science diplomacy serves as a tool for soft power and geopolitical influence.

To learn more about bilateral cooperation between the Western Balkans and EU Member States, explore further below.

News:

• Agricultural University of Tirana-University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences launch AUT-BOKU Strategy 2030
• Bilateral Agreements of Cooperation at the University of Belgrade
• French–Serbian Programme “Pavle Savić”
• Italy–Serbia Business Forum in Belgrade
• Serbia Participates in Hungary’s Stipendium Hungaricum Scholarship Programme
• Scholarship Opportunities in Slovakia for Students from North Macedonia
• Bilateral Agreements of North Macedonia in Education
• Stipendium Hungaricum Offers Opportunities for Students from North Macedonia in Hungary
• Cultural and Scientific Cooperations Between France and North Macedonia
• Bilateral Agreements of Montenegro
• Bilateral Agreements of the University of Prishtina
• University of Prishtina and Gazi University Sign Cooperation Agreement
• Economic Forum of Poland and Kosovo in 2022
• Hungary and Kosovo Strengthen Ties at Second Joint Economic Commission Session
• International Bilateral Agreements of the University of Sarajevo
• Hungary Offers Scholarships to Students from Bosnia and Herzegovina Through Bilateral Agreement
• University of Tirana’s Bilateral Agreements with International Institutions
• Austria–Albania Partnership Boosts Scientific and Technological Exchange
• Hungary Offers Scholarship Opportunities for Albanian Students
• Germany and Albania: Bilateral Relations
• Bilateral Agreements Between the Czech Republic and Republic of Albania

Calls:

• Periodical Scholarships by the Stipendium Hungaricum

Documents:

• Overview of Bilateral Research and Innovation Cooperation Between the Western Balkans and EU Member States
• University of Belgrade Cooperation Agreements 2024
• Decision Document on Co-funding of Serbian-Hungarian Joint Research Projects (2024-2026)
• University of Montenegro Brochure
• General Information about the Stipendium Hungaricum Programme in Kosovo (MoU 2024-2026)
• Joint Commission for Scientific and Technological Cooperation Between Austria and Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Report on North Macedonia’s integration into the new European Research Area (ERA) for the monitoring period 2022/23