Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2014)201 - Conclusion of a Protocol on a Framework Agreement with Lebanon on the participation of Lebanon in Union programmes

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dossier COM(2014)201 - Conclusion of a Protocol on a Framework Agreement with Lebanon on the participation of Lebanon in Union programmes.
source COM(2014)201 EN
date 31-03-2014
As part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the gradual opening up of certain European Union programmes and agencies to ENP partner countries is one of many measures to promote reform, modernisation and transition in the European Union’s neighbourhood. The Commission has expanded on this in its December 2006  Communication “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 conclusions on 5 March 2007[2].

Further to this Communication and the subsequent conclusions, the Council, on 18 June 2007, 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[3].

The June 2007 European Council i reaffirmed the paramount importance of the ENP and endorsed a Presidency Progress Report[5] that had been submitted to the Council meeting on 18/19 June 2007 as well as the related Council conclusions[6]. This report recalled the Council directives to negotiate 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 by Council conclusions on 20 June 2011, further emphasised the EU’s intention to facilitate partner countries’ participation in EU programmes.

To date, Protocols have been signed with Armenia[8], Georgia[9], Israel[10], Jordan[11], Moldova[12] Morocco[13] and Ukraine[14].

In December 2013, the Republic of Lebanon 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 the Republic of Lebanon is attached.

The Commission herewith submits a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the Protocol. This Protocol contains a Framework Agreement on the general principles for the participation of Lebanon in Union programmes. It contains standard conditions that should be applied to all European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries with whom such protocols are to be concluded.

Under Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the Council shall obtain the consent of the European Parliament before concluding  this Protocol.

In parallel, the Commission submits a proposal for a Council Decision on the signature and provisional application of the said Protocol.

The Council is invited to adopt the following proposed Decision.