Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2017)436 - Signing of the Agreement with Jordan on its participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2017)436 - Signing of the Agreement with Jordan on its participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the ... |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2017)436  |
| date | 11-08-2017 |
1. CONTEXTOFTHEPROPOSAL
• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
Following a proposal by the Commission for an Article185 TFEU PRIMA initiative 1, the Decision (EU) 2017/1324 of the European Parliament and of the Council2 on the participation of the Union in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area ('PRIMA') jointly undertaken by several Member States was adopted.
PRIMA aims at implementing 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. PRIMA will be jointly undertaken by a number of Member States and third countries ('PRIMA Participating States') with a high level of commitment to scientific, management and financial integration and under the same terms and conditions.
The Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan ('Jordan') expressed its wish to join PRIMA as a Participating State by letters of 7 November 2016 and 30 February 2017, committing to provide a financial contribution of 30 million euros to the initiative.
In order to ensure that Jordan participates in PRIMA on an equal footing with Member States and third countries associated to Horizon 2020, an International Agreement with the Union is required to extend the scope of the legal regime established by Decision (EU) 2017/1324 to Jordan.
On 30 May 2017 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations, on behalf of the Union, with Jordan on an International Agreement between the Union and Jordan laying down the terms and conditions for the participation of Jordan in PRIMA, subject to the adoption of Decision (EU) 2017/1324.
The negotiations started on 26 June 2017 and were successfully completed on 10 July 2017, when the text of the draft Agreement was initialled by representatives from each of the future Parties. The draft Agreement attached to this proposal is in line with the negotiating directives issued by the Council. In particular, it establishes that the terms and conditions for the participation of Jordan in PRIMA shall be those set out in Decision (EU) 2017/1324, making direct reference to the Union legislative act.
In order to ensure the protection of Union financial interests, particularly the powers of the Commission, the European Anti-Fraud Office, the Court of Auditors and the PRIMA Implementation Structure (PRIMA-IS) to carry out audits and investigations in accordance with the applicable Union legislation, the Agreement makes specific reference to the relevant provisions of Decision (EU) 2017/1324 and obliges the Parties to provide all necessary assistance to ensure their implementation. In addition, the future Agreement stipulates that the
COM(2016) 662 final, 18.10.2016.
Decision (EU) 2017/1324 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 on the
participation of the Union in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area
Parties must agree on detailed arrangements for assistance, such arrangements being essential to their cooperation under this Agreement.
• Consistency with existing policy provisions in the policy area
As also presented in the impact assessment report for PRIMA3, the openness of PRIMA to the participation of third countries such as Jordan is consistent with the objectives of international cooperation for research and innovation as outlined in the 2012 Commission Communication Enhancing and focusing EU international cooperation in research and innovation: A strategic approach4 and Horizon 2020 Framework Programme, which promotes cooperation with third countries in science, technology and innovation in order to tackle global societal challenges and support Union external policies. This Agreement is also consistent with the existing Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, of the other part5 and the Agreement between the European Community and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan on Scientific and Technological Cooperation6 which provide for cooperation between Union and Jordan in research and technological development and encourage research and development activities in the fields of common interest.
• Consistency with other Union policies
The implementation of PRIMA in close cooperation with third countries such as Jordan is also consistent with, and relevant for, other Union policies, such as migration policy, development policy and neighbourhood policy.
2. LEGALELEMENTS OF THE PROPOSAL
The proposal for a Council decision is based on Article 186 and Article 218(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
In the light of the above, the Commission proposes that the Council
- decides on the signature of the Agreement on behalf of the European Union;
- authorises the negotiator of the Agreement to sign, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan setting out the terms and conditions for participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)
SWD(2016)332 final, 18.10.2016.
COM(2012) 497 final.
OJ L129, of 15.05.2002, p. 3.