On Tuesday 13 June, the European Parliament adopted (607 votes to 39 with 3 abstentions) the framework for the EU's participation in the Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), undertaken jointly by several member states.
The rapporteur, Sofia Sakorafa (GUE/NGL, Greece), described it as one of very few attempts made by the EU to contribute to assisting this region and one that “simplifies existing programmes”. Although she voted in favour, the MEP Rosa D'Amato (EFDD, Italy) entered a reservation, highlighting the link with military research, referring explicitly to Israel.
During Monday's debates, the Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas, welcomed this decisive progress: PRIMA will help to create “vital solutions to serious shortages of water and food in the worst-affected Mediterranean regions” and also to act “on one of the underlying causes of the immigration region has seen”. The final formal agreement will be concluded on 26 June, the Commissioner announced. The partnership will start in 2018 and will run for ten years, he added. “Nineteen countries will contribute to the funding of PRIMA, topping up the EU's contribution of nearly €200 million” from the Horizon 2020 framework research programme. (Original version in French by Fathi B'Chir)