EU Enhances Scientific & Technological Cooperation with Morocco

The European Parliament has approved the “Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area” (PRIMA) sealed with Morocco, which has been involved in this project since its inception.

PRIMA is supported by Horizon 2020, the EU’s research and innovation framework program. It is the first public-public partnership under Horizon 2020 enabling participation of non-EU countries that are not associated to the EU research framework program on an equal footing with Member States and Associated Countries.

PRIMA seeks to develop much-needed solutions for a more sustainable management of water and agro-food systems. The main objective of the ten-year initiative (2018 – 2028) is to devise new R&I approaches to improve water availability and sustainable agriculture production in a region heavily distressed by climate change, urbanization and population growth.

The EU seeks to develop close relationship with Morocco and to support the country’s economic and political reforms within the frame of the EU neighborhood policy.

The two sides are committed to strengthening further their strategic partnership, political dialogue and trade relations. The EU has extensive ties with Morocco in trade, political and security matters. Morocco plays a key role in the fight against terrorism and illegal migration.

Morocco is a member of the MoCo (Monitoring Committee for Euro-Mediterranean research and innovation) which brings together all EU and South Mediterranean countries. This Committee seeks to promote cooperation in the field of research and technological development and to support the sustained development of the region.