Participation of New Zealand in EU programmes

KEY POINTS

Umbrella agreement

• The main text of the agreement sets out the conditions for New Zealand and its entities, comprehensively regulating the country’s participation across various EU programmes and activities that are open for their participation in accordance with the basic act establishing the EU’s programmes.
• It covers the terms and conditions for participation in any EU programmes that are open to the participation of New Zealand in accordance with the basic acts and as covered by the protocols to this agreement.
• It contains:
  • the provisions on New Zealand’s involvement in the governance of EU programmes or activities;
  • rules for establishing New Zealand’s financial contribution to the EU’s programmes;
  • rules for the protection of the EU’s financial interests, including the powers exercised by the European Commission, the European Court of Auditors, the European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and the European Public Prosecutor’s Office;
  • rules on the enforcement of the Commission decisions on recovery and judgments of the Court of Justice of the European Union on New Zealand’s territory.
• It sets up a joint committee with tasks that include monitoring and evaluating the implementation of the agreement and examining how to improve and develop cooperation under the agreement. The joint committee is also responsible for the proper implementation of the agreement and its protocol and oversees the activities under the agreement.

This ‘umbrella agreement’ is meant to create a long-lasting legal basis for cooperation on EU programmes. It will remain in force for several multiannual financial frameworks to come.

Horizon Europe protocol

• The Horizon Europe protocol forms an integral part of the agreement. It was negotiated in parallel with the umbrella agreement and is annexed to it.
• The specific terms and conditions for New Zealand’s participation in any other particular EU programme or activity will be laid down in additional protocols and added to this agreement, if adopted by the joint committee.
• The protocol allows New Zealand to participate as an associated country and to contribute to Pillar II (Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness) of Horizon Europe – the framework programme for research and innovation referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695 (see summary), and implemented through Decision (EU) 2021/764 (see summary).
• Specific rules include:
  • those covering New Zealand's financial contribution to the Horizon Europe programme and the payment methodology;
  • a reciprocity clause, ensuring that researchers and entities established in the EU may take part in New Zealand research and innovation programmes that are equivalent to Horizon Europe and vice versa;
  • additional provisions, including participation in the activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC);
  • New Zealand can participate as an observer in the relevant governance structures (within Pillar II) for points that concern New Zealand.