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Research and innovation
News article8 March 2018Brussels

Lebanon joins PRIMA: signature of the EU-Lebanon International Agreement

EU and Lebanon signed an international agreement to participate in PRIMA
EU and Lebanon signed an international agreement to participate in PRIMA

(From left to right: Mr Fadi HAJALI, Ambassador of Lebanon to the EU; Mr Dimiter TZANTCHEV, Permanent Representative of Bulgaria to the EU; Ms Maria Cristina RUSSO, European Commission's Director for International Cooperation)

On 27 February 2018 the EU and Lebanon made an important step towards strengthening their research and innovation cooperation. The two parties signed an International Agreement for Lebanon's participation in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA).

PRIMA is a bi-regional science diplomacy initiative which brings together both shores of the Mediterranean in a joint research programme to work on two of its major challenges: water scarcity and food security. This initiative also contributes to addressing the root causes of migration by transforming it from a challenge and human tragedy into an opportunity for all.

The International Agreement was signed by Ms Maria Cristina Russo –Director for International Cooperation of the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission–, Ambassador Dimiter Tzantchev –Permanent representative of the Republic of Bulgaria to the European Union– on behalf of the European Union and H.E. Mr Fadi Hajali –Ambassador of the Republic of Lebanon to the European Union–, on behalf of Lebanon.

Lebanon has been one of the most active countries since the inception of the PRIMA initiative and will be contributing €5 million over a period of ten years, which reflects the country's commitment to fostering its ties with the EU.

PRIMA is supported by Horizon 2020 –the EU's research and innovation framework programme– with €220 million and by the contribution of a number of EU Members States and Southern Mediterranean Countries with €274 million.

Details

Publication date
8 March 2018
Location
Brussels