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

PURPOSE: to allow Morocco 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, Morocco 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 Morocco in PRIMA.

Morocco 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 Morocco laying down the terms and conditions for Morocco’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 Morocco setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of this country in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).

As a reminder, PRIMA aims to implement a joint programme to foster research and innovation capacities and to develop knowledge and common innovative solutions for improving the efficiency, safety, security and sustainability of agro-food systems and of integrated water provision and management in the Mediterranean area.