Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2011)394 - Signature and provisional application, on behalf of the EU, of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the EU of the one part and Algeria, of the other part - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2011)394 - Signature and provisional application, on behalf of the EU, of the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation ... |
|---|---|
| source | COM(2011)394  |
| date | 07-07-2011 |
The Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association (hereinafter referred to as ‘the association agreement’) between the European Community and its Member States, on the one side, and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria (hereinafter referred to as ‘Algeria’), on the other, was signed on 22 April 2002. Article 50(d) of the Agreement identifies cooperation in the field of scientific and technological cooperation as an area of particular interest and potential, whilst Article 51(a) provides, in particular, for the establishment of permanent links between the two parties’ scientific communities.
The European Neighbourhood Policy, to which Algeria is not a signatory but which provides a framework for relations between the European Union and its neighbours, establishes a new framework for the implementation of the association agreement. The Commission’s Communication COM(2004) 373 final of 12 May 2004 identifies scientific and technological cooperation and research and development as priorities for our relationship with Mediterranean countries. In the context of the European Neighbourhood Policy referred to above, a strategy document (2007-13) has described scientific research is essential to building a knowledge society and to reducing unemployment with a view to opening up the economy.
In a letter dated 30 May 2006, the Algerian authorities expressed their interest in commencing negotiations with a view to entering into a scientific and technological cooperation agreement between the European Community and Algeria. The letter also enclosed documents from the Algerian Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research, describing the situation as regards research in Algeria at that time. In a letter dated 8 January 2007, the European Commission agreed to conduct an exploratory and assessment visit in Algeria, with a view to negotiating a cooperation agreement. Exploratory discussions took place throughout 2008. In a letter dated 22 December 2008 sent to Mr Saidani from the Algerian Ministry for Higher Education and Scientific Research, in response to his letter of 19 November 2008, it was agreed that the procedures for negotiating a scientific and technological cooperation agreement could begin, in view of Algeria’s potential and its capacity to participate fully in the activities which could be covered by this type of agreement.
Therefore, upon a proposal of the Commission, the Council authorised the Commission on 16 November 2009 to negotiate on behalf of the European Union a scientific and technological (S&T) cooperation agreement with the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria and issued the relevant negotiating guidelines. The negotiations resulted in the attached draft agreement text initialled on 14 October 2010.
The conclusion of an agreement would be in the mutual interest of both the European Union and Algeria, since it would enable cooperation in this area with Algeria to continue and be intensified. This cooperation will help to ensure the development and competitiveness of Algeria and the region, as well as creating closer links between the two parties, something which is in the EU’s interests. An S&T cooperation agreement would be the most appropriate way of strengthening cooperation and Algeria’s participation in the Framework Programme, as well as of intensifying dialogue on scientific and technological issues.
In light of the above, the Commission requests the Council:
- to authorise, on behalf of the European Union, the signature and provisional application, prior to the entry into force of the agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, of the other part.
Article 186 in conjunction with Article 218 i of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.