In the last decade the Institute has developed an increasingly dense network of relations with various countries, both within and outside the borders of Europe. Rapid geopolitical changes have necessitated exchanges with very distant institutions which today, in a globalized market, need highly skilled technical-scientific support. This has brought about the change from simple friendly relations to formal relationships for cooperation and development.

In matters within its competence, the Institute is called upon to initiate, coordinate and implement twinning projects within the compass of the European Union's proximity and pre-accession policy: for example the IPA programme addressed to candidate and potentially candidate countries for accession to the EU, and the ENPI programme for the Middle East and former Soviet Union area.

The Institute also has a continuing commitment to agreements for the transfer and exchange of experience, information and know-how with foreign institutions and international organizations.