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 bilateral cooperation matters?

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 internationalization goals, which promote bilateral ties to de-risk supply chains and mitigate geopolitical fragmentation.

What are the key benefits of bilateral agreements?

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

  • Resource optimization: shared funding, infrastructure, and expertise reduce duplication and maximize impact.
  • Policy alignment: Direct negotiations enable tailored cooperation, from green energy transitions to digital sovereignty.
  • Capacity building: researcher mobility programs 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 Western Balkans and EU Member States, explore further below.

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