The Analytical Reports on WBC countries in relation to science and reasearch show:

In Albania there has been limited progress in research and innovation policy. The national level of investment in research and technological development is still very low and has not increased since 2010, despite the targets set in the national strategy for science, technology and innovation for 2009-2015. Further efforts are required at national level to strengthen the research and innovation capacity and increase the country’s competitiveness. The level of investment in research remains very low and the human capitalbuilding requires strengthening. Overall, preparations are not very advanced.

Little progress can be reported in the field of education in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Some progress was made on research and innovation policy. The country actively promoted cooperation on research and innovation with the EU, resulting in a slight increase in the number of submissions under the Seventh EU research Framework Programme (FP7). The overall success rate is nevertheless low. Further steps were taken to facilitate integration into the European Research Area (ERA) and to contribute to the Innovation Union, but the research and innovation capacity building at national level needs to be strengthened and coordination remains to be improved.

Croatia is meeting the commitments and requirements arising from the accession negotiations in the field of science and research and is in a position to implement the acquis as of accession.

In FYR Macedonia little progress can be reported in the area of science and research. Preparations for the national programme for science, research and development activities for 2012-2016 and for the strategy on innovation have advanced, but the documents remain to be adopted. Participation in FP7 continued to be good.

The Analytical Report on Kosovo* states that in the areas of education, training, research and innovation, the policy and legal frameworks are in place, as are the relevant institutions.

In Montenegro good progress has been made in the area of science and research. Further efforts are necessary to strengthen research and innovation capacity at national level and facilitate integration into the European Research Area. The level of investment in research needs to be further increased in particular from the private sector and by stimulating public and private investment in scientific research activities.

In Serbia some progress was registered in the area of science and research. Both public and private investment in research remains low and Serbia generally needs to reinforce its national research capacity and monitoring as well as implement the actions envisaged.

Source: EC Europa