On Tuesday 18 October, the European Commission decided to set up the first Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), which it described as a subtle synthesis between innovation and migration management. The partnership will be co-financed by the EU’s budget.
In 2014, the Commission was very circumspect about this subject (see EUROPE 11219 and 11212) but it has finally made the leap and opted for a solution that is expected to be very much appreciated by the Council of the EU: the first PRIMA will indeed be based on Article 185 of the TFEU, which allows for financing through the European budget for research and development programmes jointly undertaken by several member states. The current EU framework programme for innovation and research (Horizon 2020) will be funded to the tune of €200 million and its criteria and rules will apply to the choice of projects.
This first-ever partnership of the kind seeks to create novel solutions for sustainable water management and food production in the Mediterranean area (Egypt, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia are so far planning to participate). The Commission is not concealing the fact that it is not innovation or its own interest in future research projects that is essential here. It is especially the impact that is hoped for on migration that really counts. The European commissioner for research, Carlos Moedas, stated very clearly in a press release that "through PRIMA, research and innovation will play a crucial role in addressing the root causes of migration".
Nine EU member states are so far participating (Cyprus, Spain, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal and the Czech Republic), while Germany is currently negotiating its participation. These nine participating countries have made a commitment to contribute €200 million to the partnership, which is due to start in 2018 and last for 10 years. This timetable will be respected, provided that the Council of the EU and the European Parliament approve this Commission proposal swiftly and provided that the negotiations with participating third countries not involved in Horizon 2020 (Morocco, Lebanon and Egypt) are finalised. (Original version in French by Jan Kordys)