Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and Tunisia

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement on scientific and technical cooperation between the European Community and Tunisia

Decision 2004/127/EC concluding the agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Tunisia

Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, on a framework agreement between the European Union and Tunisia on the general principles for the participation Tunisia in EU programmes

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT, THE DECISION AND THE PROTOCOL?

The agreement establishes general rules for cooperation between the European Community, now the European Union (EU), and Tunisia, aiming at encouraging, developing and facilitating activities of common interest in the fields of science and technology.
By its decision, the Council of the European Union approved the agreement on behalf of the European Community.
In view of the Council’s support of the European Commission’s approach to enable European neighbourhood policy partner countries to participate in EU agencies and programmes on their merits, and where authorised by the relevant legal bases, the protocol sets out specific terms and conditions, including the financial contribution and reporting and evaluation procedures, applicable to Tunisia’s participation in each particular EU programme.

KEY POINTS

The parties agree to encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative scientific and technological activities between the EU and Tunisia in fields of common interest. Activities carried out under the agreement are based on a set of principles:

promotion of a knowledge-based society for the benefit of the economic and social development of the parties;
mutual benefit based on an overall balance of advantages;
timely exchange of information;
protection of intellectual property rights.

Cooperation

Tunisian legal entities* can participate in indirect action under the EU framework programme for research and innovation (Horizon Europe) contributing to the creation of the European research area.

EU legal entities can participate in Tunisia’s research projects in fields equivalent to those of the framework programme under the same conditions as those applicable to Tunisian legal entities.

Both cooperative forms are subject to terms and conditions established by or referred to in Annexes I and II to the agreement.

Cooperation may also take the following forms and means:

joint meetings;
regular discussions on the guidelines and priorities for research policies and planning in Tunisia and in the EU;
exchanges of views and consultations on cooperation and development prospects;
the timely sharing of information concerning the implementation and results of joint research programmes and projects carried out under this agreement;
visits and exchanges of researchers, engineers and technicians, including for the purposes of research training;
exchanges and sharing of scientific equipment and materials;
regular contacts between Tunisian and EU research programme or project managers;
participation of experts of both parties in thematic seminars, symposiums and workshops;
exchanges of information on practices, laws, regulations and programmes concerning cooperation under this agreement;
reciprocal access to scientific and technical information relevant to this cooperation;
any other arrangement adopted by the EU–Tunisia Joint Scientific and Technical Cooperation Committee.

Under the protocol, Tunisia must contribute financially to the EU’s general budget corresponding to the specific programmes in which it participates. A memorandum of understanding between the Commission and the Tunisian authorities sets out the specific terms and conditions, in particular the financial contribution and reporting and evaluation procedures, regarding Tunisia’s participation in each programme.

Tunisia participates in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) initiative, set up under Decision (EU) 2017/1324 (see summary). PRIMA aims to pool the knowledge and financial resources of the EU and the participating states to build research and innovation capacities, and develop knowledge and joint innovative solutions for water and agri-food systems in the Mediterranean area. The EU allocates up to €220 million from the Horizon 2020 programme to PRIMA.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 13 April 2004 and will continue to apply for an indefinite period. It may be terminated at any time by either party with 6 months’ written notice.

BACKGROUND

Relations between the EU and Tunisia are governed principally by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Tunisian Republic, of the other part (see summary). Tunisia was the first country in the southern Mediterranean to sign a scientific and technological agreement with the EU.

For further information, see:

Tunisia (European Commission)
Delegation of the European Union to Tunisia (European External Action Service)
The Republic of Tunisia joins Horizon Europe, the world’s largest research and innovation programme – Press release (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Legal entities. Any natural person or any legal person created under the national law of its place of establishment or under Community law or international law having legal personality and being entitled to have rights and obligations of any kind in its own name.

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement on scientific and technical cooperation between the European Community and the Tunisian Republic (OJ L 37, 10.2.2004, pp. 17–23).

Council Decision 2004/127/EC of 22 December 2003 on the conclusion of the Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Tunisian Republic (OJ L 37, 10.2.2004, p. 16).

Protocol to the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Tunisia, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Tunisia on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Tunisia in Union programmes (OJ L 96, 11.4.2015, pp. 3–6).