SARAJEVO – A ministerial conference to launch a regional research strategy for the Western Balkans will take place in Sarajevo, on Friday, 24 April. The event will be co-hosted by the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Secretariat and the Czech Presidency of the European Union.

The Ministerial Conference “Developing Regional Research Strategy for the Western Balkans” is expected to adopt a Joint Statement, pledging the ministers’ support to the establishment of the Regional Research Strategy, as the first cooperation mechanism among scientific and research communities of the Western Balkans.

The event will be opened by RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, and Deputy Czech Minister of Education, Youth and Sports, Vlastimil Ruzicka.

The keynote speakers will include EU Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik, as well as relevant ministers from the Western Balkans countries. Representatives of other RCC members from South East Europe, international organizations and important stakeholders will participate in the event.

A draft agenda of the conference isavailable HERE.

Journalists are invited to attend the event on Friday, 24 April 2009, from 10.00-14.00 hours, at the Red Saloon (Crveni salon) of the Radon Plaza Hotel, Dzemala Bijedica 185, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.