Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and Morocco

 

SUMMARY OF:

Agreement on scientific and technical cooperation between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco

Decision 2004/126/EC — conclusion of the scientific and technological cooperation agreement between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND OF THE DECISION?

The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation, aiming at encouraging, developing and facilitating activities in the areas of science and technology.

By its decision, the Council approved the conclusion of the agreement on behalf of the European Community (now the EU).

KEY POINTS

Activities conducted under the agreement are based on a set of principles:

• promotion of a knowledge-based society for the benefit of the economic and social development of the parties;
• mutual benefit based on an overall balance of advantages;
• reciprocal access for participants of research programmes and projects undertaken by each party;
• timely exchange of information;
• protection of intellectual property rights.

Cooperation

The agreement covers a range of indirect cooperative activities between legal entities* established in Morocco and the EU through the participation of Moroccan legal entities in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and the reciprocal participation of legal entities established in the EU in Moroccan research programmes or projects subject to terms and conditions established by or referred to in Annex I and II of the agreement.

Cooperation may also take the following forms and means:

• joint meetings;
• regular discussions on the guidelines and priorities for research policies and planning in Morocco and in the EU;
• exchanges of views and consultation on cooperation and development prospects;
• the timely sharing of information concerning the implementation and results of joint research programmes and projects carried out under this agreement;
• visits and exchanges of researchers, engineers and technicians, including for the purposes of research training;
• exchanges and sharing of scientific equipment and materials;
• regular contacts between Moroccan and EU research programme or project managers;
• participation of experts of both parties in thematic seminars, symposiums and workshops;
• exchanges of information on practices, laws, regulations and programmes concerning cooperation under this agreement;
• reciprocal access to scientific and technical information relevant to this cooperation;
• any other arrangement adopted by the EU-Morocco Joint Scientific and Technical Cooperation Committee.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 14 March 2005 for an indefinite period. It may be terminated at any time by either party with 6 months’ written notice.

BACKGROUND

Relations between the EU and Morocco are governed principally by the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities (now the EU) and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part (see summary here).

For more information, see:

• Morocco and the EU (European External Action Service).

For further information about Research and Innovation (R&I) cooperation with Morocco, see:

• International R&I cooperation with Morocco (European Commission).
• Roadmap for EU Southern Neighbourhood S&T cooperation (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement on scientific and technical cooperation between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco (OJ L 37, 10.2.2004, pp. 9-15)

Council Decision 2004/126/EC of 22 December 2003 on the conclusion of the Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Kingdom of Morocco (OJ L 37, 10.2.2004, p. 8)

RELATED DOCUMENTS

Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Communities and their Member States, of the one part, and the Kingdom of Morocco, of the other part — Protocol 1 on the arrangements applying to imports into the Community of agricultural products originating in Morocco — Protocol 2 on the arrangements applying to imports into the Community of fishery products originating in Morocco — Protocol 3 on the arrangements applying to imports into Morocco of agricultural products originating in the Community — Protocol 4 concerning the definition of originating products and methods of administrative cooperation — Protocol 5 on mutual assistance in customs matters between the administrative authorities — Final Act — Joint Declarations — Agreements in the form of an Exchange of Letters — Declaration by the Community — Declarations by Morocco (OJ L 70, 18.3.2000, pp. 2-204)

Successive amendments to the agreement have been incorporated into the original document. This consolidated version is of documentary value only.

last update 25.10.2019