EU-Morocco agreement amending and supplementing the agreement setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of Morocco in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

The European Parliament adopted by 573 votes to 35, with 37 abstentions, a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).

Parliament gave its consent to the conclusion of the agreement.

PRIMA has proven to be an effective framework for fostering scientific cooperation in the Mediterranean, addressing pressing challenges such as integrated water management. PRIMA's strategic objective is to build research and innovation capacities and develop knowledge and common innovative solutions for agri-food systems to make them renewable, as well as for water management and supply in the Mediterranean area.

The Kingdom of Morocco has been a committed partner in PRIMA since its inception. The amended agreement aligns its participation with the new terms introduced under Horizon Europe and ensures compliance with the updated legal and financial framework. This step will allow Morocco to remain fully engaged in the partnership until 2031, guaranteeing continuity of cooperation and joint work on shared challenges.

The agreement is consistent with the EU’s external policies, including the New Agenda for the Mediterranean, the Global Approach to Research and Innovation and the Union’s development objectives. The agreement will ensure continuity of the partnership and strengthen the EU's engagement with the regional partner and reaffirm its determination to address common challenges in the Mediterranean through scientific collaboration, while contributing to research excellence, as well as to the stability and development of the region.