Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2017)435 - Signing and provisional application of the Agreement with Lebanon on its participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) - Main contents
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dossier | COM(2017)435 - Signing and provisional application of the Agreement with Lebanon on its participation in the Partnership for Research and ... |
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source | COM(2017)435 ![]() |
date | 11-08-2017 |
1. CONTEXTOFTHEPROPOSAL
• Reasons for and objectives of the proposal
Following a proposal by the Commission for an Article 185 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 Republic of Lebanon ('Lebanon') expressed its wish to join PRIMA as a Participating State by letters of 1 September 2014, 17 February 2016, 4 April 2017, committing to provide a financial contribution of 7 million euros to the initiative.
In order to ensure that Lebanon 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 Lebanon.
On 30 May 2017 the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations, on behalf of the Union, with Lebanon on an International Agreement between the Union and Lebanon laying down the terms and conditions for the participation of Lebanon in PRIMA, subject to the adoption of Decision (EU) 2017/1324.
The negotiations started on 26 June 2017 and were successfully completed on 18 July 2017, when the Chief Negotiators of the future Parties signed a procès-verbal certifying the conclusion of the negotiation process. 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 Lebanon 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 Parties must agree on detailed arrangements for assistance, such arrangements being essential
1 COM(2016) 662 final, 18.10.2016.
2 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
to their cooperation under this Agreement. Upon the request of Lebanon and as agreed during the negotiations, an additional recital was inserted in the preamble of the Agreement to reflect that full cooperation and coordination between competent authorities of both future Parties is essential for implementation of the future 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 Lebanon 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 Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Lebanon, of the other part5 which provides for cooperation between Union and Lebanon 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 Lebanon 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.
3. BUDGETARYIMPLICATIONS
The Legislative Financial Statement presented with this Decision sets out the indicative budgetary implications.
In the light of the above, the Commission proposes that the Council
- decides on the signature and provisional application of the Agreement on behalf of the Union;
- authorises the negotiator of the Agreement to sign, on behalf of the Union, the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Lebanon setting out the terms and conditions for participation of the Republic of Lebanon in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).
3 SWD(2016)332 final, 18.10.2016.
4 COM(2012) 497 final.
5