PURPOSE: the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on scientific and technological cooperation.
NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2012/645/EU on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on scientific and technological cooperation.
BACKGROUND: the Euro-Mediterranean Agreement establishing an association between the European Community and its Member States, on the one hand, and the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, on the other, was signed on 22 April 2002. This Agreement identifies cooperation in scientific and technological research as an area of particular interest and potential and, in particular, provides for the establishment of permanent links between the two parties’ scientific communities.
The European Neighbourhood Policy, to which Algeria is not party but which provides a framework for relations between the European Union and its neighbours, establishes a new framework for implementing the association agreement and cites scientific research as an essential element that contributes to building a knowledge society and to reducing unemployment as the economy becomes more open.
On 16 November 2009 the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate, on behalf of the European Union, an agreement on cooperation in science and technology with the People's Democratic Republic of Algeria, subject to its conclusion at a later date, and provisionally applied upon its signature, pursuant to Article 218(5) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
It is now appropriate to conclude the agreement on behalf of the European Union.
CONTENT: with this Decision, the Agreement between the European Union and the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria on scientific and technological cooperation is concluded on behalf of the European Union.
Its main provisions are as follows:
Means of cooperation: such cooperation would promote the development and competitiveness of Algeria and the entire region and would create closer ties between the two parties, to the benefit of the European Union.
A science and technology cooperation agreement would be the most appropriate tool for reinforcing Algeria's cooperation with and participation in the framework programme and for intensifying dialogue related to science and technology.
Cooperation principles: cooperation activities shall be conducted on the basis of the following principles:
Cooperation may also take the following forms: (i) regular discussions on the guidelines and priorities for research policies and planning in Algeria and the Union; (ii) discussions on cooperation, developments and future prospects; (iii) the timely provision of information concerning the implementation of programmes and research projects of Algeria and of the Union, and concerning the results of work undertaken within the framework of this Agreement; (iv) joint meetings; (v) visits and exchanges of research workers, engineers and technicians, including for training purposes; (vi) participation of experts in seminars, symposia and workshops; (vii) exchanges of information on practices, laws, regulations, and programmes relevant to cooperation under this Agreement; (viii) reciprocal access to scientific and technologic information in the framework of this cooperation; (iv) examining the possibility of cooperation in setting up incubators and nurseries and the start-up and creation of research centres, (v) promoting cooperation by means of research and development projects.
Management of the Agreement: technical measures are provided to set the framework for the management of the Agreement (particularly the establishment of a Joint Cooperation Committee).
Financing: provisions are also provided as regards the financing of the research activities.
Dissemination and use of the results and information: lastly, the dissemination and the use of the results and information obtained and/or exchanged and the management, allocation and exercise of intellectual property rights resulting from the research activities undertaken under this Agreement shall be subject to the conditions provided for in the Annex.
ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Decision enters into force on 10.10.2012. The Agreement will enter into force once all of the necessary procedures have been completed.