Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2014)385 - Signing and provisional application of a Protocol on a Framework Agreement with Algeria on the participation of Algeria in Union programmes

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dossier COM(2014)385 - Signing and provisional application of a Protocol on a Framework Agreement with Algeria on the participation of Algeria in ...
source COM(2014)385 EN
date 27-06-2014
As part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the gradual opening-up of certain Union programmes and agencies to the participation of ENP partner countries represents one of many measures to promote reform, modernisation and transition in the European Union’s neighbourhood. The Commission outlined this policy aspect more extensively in its Communication of December 2006 ‘on the general approach to enable European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries to participate in Community agencies and Community programmes’[1].

The Council endorsed this approach in its conclusions of 5 March 2007 i.

Based upon this Communication and these conclusions, on 18 June 2007 the Council issued directives to the Commission to negotiate Framework Agreements with Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine, on the general principles for their participation in Community programmes i.

The June 2007 European Council i reaffirmed the paramount importance of the ENP and endorsed a Presidency Progress Report i that had been submitted to the Council meeting of 18 and 19 June 2007 and the related Council conclusions i. The report referred to the Council directives for negotiating the relevant additional protocols.

The Joint Communication by the Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ‘A new response to a changing Neighbourhood[7]’, endorsed in the Council conclusions of 20 June 2011, further stressed the EU’s intention to facilitate partner countries’ participation in EU programmes.

To date, protocols have been signed with Armenia, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco and Ukraine.

In February 2013, Algeria expressed its interest in participating in the broad range of programmes open to partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The text of the protocol negotiated with Algeria is attached.

The Commission herewith submits a proposal for a Council Decision on the signing of the protocol. This protocol contains a Framework Agreement on the general principles for the participation of Algeria in Union programmes. It contains standard clauses that are intended to be applied to all ENP partner countries with which such protocols are concluded. The negotiated text also provides for the parties to provisionally apply the provisions of this protocol from the date of its signing.

The Commission is submitting a parallel proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the protocol.

The Council is invited to adopt the following proposed decision.