RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

7.9.2018 - (06534/2018 – C8‑0150/2018 – 2018/0036(NLE)) - ***

Committee on Industry, Research and Energy
Rapporteur: Aldo Patriciello

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion, on behalf of the Union, of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

(06534/2018 – C8‑0150/2018 – 2018/0036(NLE))

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the draft Council decision (06534/2018),

–  having regard the draft Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (06533/2018),

–  having regard to Decision (EU) 2017/1324 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 4 July 2017 on the participation of the Union in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) jointly undertaken by several Member States,

–  having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 186 and Article 218(6) second subparagraph, point (a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, pursuant to which the Council consulted Parliament (C8‑0150/2018),

–  having regard to Rule 99(1) and (4), and Rule 108(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A8-0281/2018),

1.  Gives its consent to conclusion of the agreement;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Kingdom of Morocco.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Partnership on Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) is the first Public-to-Public Partnership under Article 185 TFEU to target a specific geographical area, (the Mediterranean Basin) and to include the participation of neighbouring countries.

This important tool brings together the research capacities of the Union and of participating Mediterranean countries to bear on facilitating the development and the implementation of innovative and integrated solutions for a more efficient, safer, more secure and more sustainable agro-food and water provision and management systems in the Mediterranean area.

PRIMA’s specific objective is, in fact, to coordinate and strengthen the separate research and innovation national programmes in these sectors by providing a comprehensive and integrated approach.

In doing so PRIMA is also, an example of what EU science diplomacy. We are all aware of the challenges that forced displacement of the Mediterranean residents is posing, especially to the people at the centre of this tragic reality. By addressing some of the root causes of migration, PRIMA is an investment in a more sustainable, stable Mediterranean area. It is an example of a proactive approach to tackling the cause and not just scrambling to deal with effects.

At this point, 19 countries are jointly undertaking PRIMA: 11 EU Member States, 3 countries associated to Horizon 2020 and 5 third countries with which the Union needs to conclude international agreements for scientific and technological cooperation according to Article 1(2) of the decision. The agreement with Morocco has been negotiated in this context.

I therefore welcome the Commission’s proposal I call on the European Parliament to give its consent to this agreement.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title	Council Decision on the conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Kingdom of Morocco setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Kingdom of Morocco in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)
References	06534/2018 – C8-0150/2018 – 2018/0036(NLE)
Date of consultation / request for consent	12.4.2018
Committee responsible        Date announced in plenary	ITRE 19.4.2018
Rapporteurs        Date appointed	Aldo Patriciello 30.5.2018
Discussed in committee	9.7.2018
Date adopted	3.9.2018
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	41 4 1
Members present for the final vote	Xabier Benito Ziluaga, José Blanco López, Jonathan Bullock, Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, Jerzy Buzek, Angelo Ciocca, Jakop Dalunde, Christian Ehler, Ashley Fox, András Gyürk, Rebecca Harms, Barbara Kappel, Peter Kouroumbashev, Zdzisław Krasnodębski, Christelle Lechevalier, Janusz Lewandowski, Paloma López Bermejo, Edouard Martin, Tilly Metz, Angelika Mlinar, Dan Nica, Angelika Niebler, Miroslav Poche, Julia Reda, Paul Rübig, Massimiliano Salini, Neoklis Sylikiotis, Patrizia Toia, Evžen Tošenovský, Vladimir Urutchev, Kathleen Van Brempt, Martina Werner, Lieve Wierinck, Anna Záborská, Flavio Zanonato, Carlos Zorrinho
Substitutes present for the final vote	Tamás Deutsch, Françoise Grossetête, Benedek Jávor, Barbara Kudrycka, Vladimír Maňka, Luděk Niedermayer, Răzvan Popa, Dominique Riquet
Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote	Laura Agea, John Howarth
Date tabled	7.9.2018

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL IN COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

41	+
ALDE	Angelika Mlinar, Dominique Riquet, Lieve Wierinck
ECR	Zdzisław Krasnodębski, Evžen Tošenovský
EFDD	Laura Agea
ENF	Angelo Ciocca, Barbara Kappel, Christelle Lechevalier
PPE	Cristian-Silviu Buşoi, Jerzy Buzek, Tamás Deutsch, Christian Ehler, Françoise Grossetête, András Gyürk, Barbara Kudrycka, Janusz Lewandowski, Angelika Niebler, Luděk Niedermayer, Paul Rübig, Massimiliano Salini, Vladimir Urutchev, Anna Záborská
S&D	José Blanco López, John Howarth, Peter Kouroumbashev, Vladimír Maňka, Edouard Martin, Dan Nica, Miroslav Poche, Răzvan Popa, Patrizia Toia, Kathleen Van Brempt, Martina Werner, Flavio Zanonato, Carlos Zorrinho
VERTS/ALE	Jakop Dalunde, Rebecca Harms, Benedek Jávor, Tilly Metz, Julia Reda

4	-
EFDD	Jonathan Bullock
GUE/NGL	Xabier Benito Ziluaga, Paloma López Bermejo, Neoklis Sylikiotis

1	0
ECR	Ashley Fox

Key to symbols:

+  :  in favour

-  :  against

0  :  abstention