On Tuesday 11 April at the end of a single inter-institutional session, the Maltese Presidency struck a political agreement with European Parliament representatives on the participation of the EU in the first research partnership in the Mediterranean region (PRIMA).
The PRIMA partnership has been earmarked for a Community contribution of €200 million from the “Horizon 2020” framework programme. As from 2018, it seeks to develop innovative solutions for sustainable water provision and management and food production. It is based on article 185 of the treaty, which allows for financing for European research and development programmes that are jointly undertaken by several member states (see EUROPE 11648).
Nine member states will be taking part in this initiative (Germany, Cyprus, France, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta and Portugal) and six Mediterranean countries (Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia).
In a press release, Chris Agius, the Maltese Parliamentary Secretary, said that the PRIMA partnership will help improve the health and livelihoods of those living in the Mediterranean region. It is also expected to encourage economic growth and stability in the longer-term. (Original version in French by Mathieu Bion)