In his speech "Opportunities for Montenegro in the European Research Area", held at the Academy of Sciences and Arts of Montenegro, Janez Potočnik argues that research cooperation has an important part to play in preparing the ground for accession to the EU and raises the question what changes the association status actually brings to Montenegro.

Furthermore he refers to the importance of the 7th Framework Programme for Research, the Pre-Accession Istrument (IPA), and the Steering Platform for Research in the Western Balkan Countries.

As he sees it: "Science and technology will help Montenegro in its progression as a dynamic and effective state. Education and reform will support Montenegro’s march towards the European Union. Research and innovation will help Montenegro make its contribution to the Europe we are building."

The full speech is available at:

http://www.wbc-inco.net/object/document/13985.html

In his second speech "Progress and the Knowledge Triangle in South Eastern Europe" the Commissioner adresses the need to increase efforts on all three fronts of the knowledge triangle: education, research and innovation to increase Europe's competitiveness and speed the transformation into a knowledge-based society. He encouraged the ragion to use education, research and innovation as tools for their own development. 

The commissioner pointed out three vital aspects for strenghtening the research capacities of the WBC: greater research cooperation at regional and European level, designing integrated research policies and modernisation and improvement of research capacity. 

The full speech is available at:

www.wbc-inco.net/object/document/13990.html