Explanatory Memorandum to COM(2014)203 - Conclusion of the Protocol on a Framework Agreement with Tunisia on the participation of Tunisia in Union programmes

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dossier COM(2014)203 - Conclusion of the Protocol on a Framework Agreement with Tunisia on the participation of Tunisia in Union programmes.
source COM(2014)203 EN
date 31-03-2014
As part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), the gradual opening-up of certain Union programmes and agencies to the participation of ENP partner countries represents one of many measures to promote reform, modernisation and transition in the European Union’s neighbourhood. The Commission outlined this policy aspect more extensively in its Communication of December 2006 ‘on the general approach to enable European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries to participate in Community agencies and Community programmes’[1].

The Council endorsed this approach in its conclusions of 5 March 2007 i.

Based upon this Communication and those conclusions, on 18 June 2007 the Council issued directives to the Commission to negotiate Framework Agreements with Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Moldova, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Tunisia and Ukraine, on the general principles for their participation in Community programmes i.

The June 2007 European Council i reaffirmed the paramount importance of the ENP and endorsed a Presidency Progress Report i that had been submitted to the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) meeting on 18/19 June 2007 as well as the related Council Conclusions i. The report referred to the Council directives for negotiating the relevant additional protocols.

The Joint Communication by the Commission and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy ‘A new response to a changing Neighbourhood’[7], endorsed by Council Conclusions on 20 June 2011, further stressed the EU’s intention to facilitate partner countries’ participation in EU programmes.

To date, protocols have been signed with Armenia, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Moldova, Morocco and Ukraine.

In December 2013, Tunisia expressed its interest in participating in the broad range of programmes open to partner countries of the European Neighbourhood Policy. The text of the protocol negotiated with Tunisia is attached.

The Commission herewith submits a proposal for a Council Decision on the conclusion of the protocol. This protocol contains a framework agreement on the general principles for the participation of Tunisia in Union programmes. It contains standard clauses that are intended to be applied to all European Neighbourhood Policy partner countries with which such protocols are to be concluded.

In accordance with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, the European Parliament will be asked to give its consent to the conclusion of this protocol.

The Commission is submitting a parallel proposal for a Council decision on the signing and provisional application of the protocol.

The Council is invited to adopt the following proposal for a decision.