This document discusses PRIMA, a partnership for research and innovation in the Mediterranean area. It provides background on PRIMA, including that it was proposed in 2014 based on Article 185 of the TFEU to address sustainable food systems and water resources. It outlines the participating states that have proposed or intend to join PRIMA. The institutional state of play is that the European Commission proposed PRIMA in October 2016 and it is currently undergoing approval processes within the European Council and Parliament. Next steps include setting up an implementation structure, concluding international agreements, developing a Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda, and launching a first call for projects in 2018.

1. PRIMA
Partnership for Research and
Innovation in the Mediterranean
Art.185 TFEU
UNIMED WEEK
Wanda Gaj
European Commission - DG RTD - I
Brussels, 28 March 2017

2. Research and
Innovation
PARTNERSHIP FOR RESEARCH AND INNOVATION
IN THE MEDITERRANEAN AREA (PRIMA)
A joint programme on sustainable food systems and
water resources for the development of inclusive,
sustainable and healthy Euro-Mediterranean societies
Up to 2014:
Cypriot Presidency: commitment to establish a long-term structured partnership in R&I in the
Mediterranean area (July 2013)
Euro-Mediterranean conference on Research and Innovation (Barcelona 2012)
5 December 2014:
In its conclusions, the Competitiveness Council "invites the Commission […] to
assess as soon as possible whether a participation of the Union in the PRIMA
Joint Programme on the basis of Article 185 TFEU is justified by the scope of
the objectives pursued and the scale of the resources required"
23 December 2014:
submission of the Art. 185 PRIMA proposal by MS and
third countries
2015:
Commissioner Moedas asks the
EC services to initiate the
procedure for an Art. 185 and
launch of the impact
assessment process
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Background

3. Research and
Innovation
Proposal EU MS and MPC
 Article 185 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union (TFEU) enables the EU to make provision for its
participation in research and development programmes
undertaken by several Member States, including
participation in the structures created for the execution of
those programmes.
 Article 185 initiatives may only be proposed by the
Commission in cases where:
 there is a need for a dedicated implementation structure
(DIS)
 there is a high level of commitment of Participating
States to integration at scientific, management and
financial levels.

4. Research and
Innovation
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Participating States
 Member States: Cyprus, (Czech Republic),
France, (Germany), Greece, Italy,
Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal and Spain
 H2020 Associated Third Countries: Israel
and Tunisia
 H2020 non-Associated Third Countries:
Egypt, (Jordan), Lebanon and Morocco
(international agreements)
 Algeria, Croatia, Slovenia and Turkey have
announced their intention to join.
PRIMA Participating States

5. Research and
Innovation
Institutional State of Play
• Impact Assessment completed in summer
2016
• Commission Proposal October 2016
(budgetary implications: Commission
contribution as part of Horizon 2020)
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6. Institutional State of Play
• Interinstitutional process
• Council: position approved at Coreper on 8 March
• Parliament: ITRE vote on position on 22 March
• Trilogue: 11 April
• Final steps (tentative schedule)
• April-May: internal approval process in Council & EP
• 15-18 May: adoption in EP plenary
• 30 May: political agreement at Competitiveness Council
• June/July: formal adoption at a Council meeting

7. Next steps:
Administrative:
• Setting up of Implementation Structure
PRIMA-IS (consortium)
• ex-ante assessment of PRIMA-IS
(Commission)
• Delegation Act, Approval of Annual Work
Plan and Adoption of Financing Decision
International:
• Conclusion of international agreements

8. Next steps (2):
Scientific:
• Elaboration of SRIA (Strategic Research and
Innovation Agenda)
• Elaboration of Annual Work Plan 2018
• First call 2018

9. • Evidence from “gaps analysis”:
 Literature review and mapping of existing research
experiences and cooperation projects on the PRIMA
general objectives
• Experts & Stakeholders opinions:
 Survey on prioritization of objectives circulated among
selected PRIMA Stakeholders and the general public
• Face to face events
• Relevance through SDGs:
 Correlations between PRIMA objectives and SDGs
Scientific : CSA 4PRIMA - Priorization
Criteria
Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda
Topic SC5-12-2016 (One Stage)
Partners: Italy (Coordinator), Cyprus, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Slovenia,
Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Tunisia
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10. Research and
Innovation
Pillars of the PRIMA proposal

11. Research and
Innovation
SRIA – Conclusion
• New version of the SRIA to be made available by
mid-April
• Web-based public consultation at the end of April
(before the Euro-Med Conference, Malta, 3-4
May 2017)
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12. Research and
Innovation
Timeline (tentative)
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