SARAJEVO, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- Participants of the 3rd Conference on Innovation and Technology Cooperation between China and the Central and Eastern European Countries (CEEC), which closes here later Wednesday, agreed that innovation cooperation between the two sides brings common development and benefits.

The conference, which opened on Monday, gathered 60 companies and 400 delegates from government departments, state institutions, technology parks, creative hubs and start-ups.

At the panel "Possibilities of Innovative Cooperation under 'the 16+1 Cooperation' Umbrella", participants presented and explained the possibilities, benefits, advantages and opportunities in collaboration between China and CEEC.

Smiljana Prelevic, Secretary of Montenegrin Ministry of Science, noted the yields of the excellent cooperation Montenegro has with China, saying 14 important scientific works have been realized so far.

Prelevic especially highlighted the structural connection among Montenegro, China and other CEEC countries through the technological park in the capital Podgorica.

According to Prelevic, by signing a memorandum, eight countries have committed to the network and cooperation of young scientists and doctors in terms of cancer treatment and healing.

She said "the 16+1 cooperation" mechanism enabled young Montenegrin experts in medicine, biochemistry and IT to connect with their peers in other countries.

Xie Xincheng, the vice president of the National Science Foundation of China, also stressed the role of communication among scientists, saying one of the most important things of the innovation cooperation is that scientists from both sides have the opportunity to meet each other.

Jovan Despotovski, director of Fund for Innovations in Macedonia, said that Macedonia managed to significantly increase the financial help to companies compared with the level four years ago.

According to Despotovski, before "the 16+1 cooperation", there was only communication between the Macedonian government and companies, but now, universities and companies are cooperating, and the aim is to merge business and academic community together.

Biljana Camur, secretary of BiH's Ministry of Civil Affairs, said the potential of "the 16+1 cooperation" is immense, which offers a great number of opportunities. "We have resources and capacities to gather experts from China and CEEC countries in spheres of science and economy."

According to Camur, BiH is now working on 36 projects in sectors such as energy, robotics and IT.