Relations with neighbouring countries have been a central concern for the EU throughout the regional integration process. Every round of EU enlargement has created new 'neighbouring' countries and triggered the desire of states to join the EU. Research and innovation policy has become an increasingly important area of activities with partner countries associated to Horizon 2020.

In 2016, seven priority areas of mutual interest for collaboration were identified between DG NEAR, DG REGIO, DG RTD and JRC, with regional development and particularly smart specialisation being one of them. The IPA II regulation clearly mentions smart specialisation as a thematic priority for assistance to enlargement countries.[1] Smart specialisation and the accompanying ex-ante conditionality have a clear legal basis in the acquis communautaire and will be relevant fur future accession countries.[2] The EU Strategy for the Danube Region mentions smart specialisation specifically as a milestone for reaching the targets of Priority Area 7 (Knowledge Society). Eastern Partnership countries have committed to adopt at least one S3 by 2020.[3] To support participatory and evidence-based processes outside the EU, the S3 Platform supports the development of innovation strategies for smart specialisation in a pilot project covering Serbia, Moldova and Ukraine.