EU/Egypt Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation: terms and conditions for participation of Egypt in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

PURPOSE: to allow Egypt to participate in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: in accordance with Decision (EU) 2017/1324, Egypt is to become a Participating State in PRIMA subject to the conclusion of an international agreement for scientific and technological cooperation with the Union setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of Egypt in PRIMA.

Egypt expressed its wish to join PRIMA as a Participating State and on an equal footing with the Member States and third countries associated to Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) participating in PRIMA.

The Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement between the European Union and Egypt laying down the terms and conditions for Egypt's participation in PRIMA was signed subject to its conclusion at a later date. The Agreement must now be approved.

CONTENT: the draft Council Decision seeks the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Union and Egypt setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of Egypt in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).

For further details on the objectives and content of the Agreement, please refer to the summary of the Commission's initial legislative proposal dated 11.8.2017.