(1)

Decision (EU) 2017/1324 of the European Parliament and of the Council (1) lays down the terms and conditions for the participation of Member States and third countries (‘Participating States’) in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), in particular their financial obligations and their participation in the governing structures of PRIMA.

(2)

Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council (2) established the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2014-2020) (‘Horizon 2020’). The Union financial contribution to PRIMA is funded from the appropriations in the general budget of the Union allocated to the relevant parts of the specific programme implementing Horizon 2020 established by Council Decision 2013/743/EU (3).

(3)

Nineteen countries have agreed to jointly undertake PRIMA by committing financial contributions, namely Croatia, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain; third countries associated to Horizon 2020, namely Israel, Tunisia and Turkïye; and third countries not associated to Horizon 2020, namely Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco.

(4)

Under Decision (EU) 2017/1324, all Participating States are to have the same rights and obligations. Under Article 1(2) of Decision (EU) 2017/1324, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco are to become Participating States subject to the conclusion of international agreements for scientific and technological cooperation with the Union setting out the terms and conditions of their participation in PRIMA.

(5)

The Agreements for scientific and technological cooperation between the Union and Algeria (4), Egypt (5), Jordan (6), Lebanon (7) and Morocco (8), respectively, setting out the terms and conditions for their participation in PRIMA (the ‘STC Agreements’) will remain in force for as long as Decision (EU) 2017/1324 is in force.

(6)

Pursuant to Article 2 of the STC Agreements, implementing arrangements for mutual assistance (the ‘implementing arrangements’) were signed between the Union and the respective authorities of Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco. The implementing arrangements concern, in particular, the application of Article 10(2) and Article 11(3) and (4) of Decision (EU) 2017/1324 regarding the indirect actions funded by the Union referred to in Article 6(1)(a) of Decision (EU) 2017/1324.

(7)

The Commission has submitted a proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision (EU) 2017/1324 as regards the continuation of the Union’s participation in PRIMA under Horizon Europe, with the aim of extending the Union financial contribution to PRIMA, for the period 2025-2027, from appropriations in the general budget of the Union allocated to the relevant parts of the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe, as established by Council Decision (EU) 2021/764 (9).

(8)

Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco expressed their interest to continue participating in PRIMA with regard to Horizon Europe. In order to ensure continuation of their participation and engagement on an equal footing with all Participating States, Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Morocco, which are not associated to Horizon Europe, are to formally accept the new terms and conditions set out by Decision (EU) 2017/1324 by concluding agreements with the Union, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending and supplementing the STC Agreements, including the implementing arrangements signed pursuant to Article 2 of the STC Agreements,