PRIMA Agreement with Lebanon

On 22 July, Ms Nienke Buisman, Head of unit at DG Research and Innovation met with H.E. Lebanese Ambassador to the EU, Mr. Fadi Haj Ali and Ms. Tamara Elzein, Secretary General of the CNRS 

The positive outcome of the negotiation marks a success for the EU and Lebanon in the current geopolitical situation in the region. 

As a reminder, the Union for the Mediterranean Ministerial in 2022 gave impetus to the regional cooperation in research and innovation (R&I) It has led to the launch of a “Mediterranean Initiative” under the Horizon Europe Work Programme 2023-2024, which targets research and innovation cooperation in the adopted priorities areas: climate change, renewable energy and health. This underlines once more the crucial role of PRIMA as an R&I flagship in the Mediterranean cooperation. 

All participants highlighted during the ceremony, the strategic importance of PRIMA in contributing to tackling global challenges, in particular in water and food security.

Today’s PRIMA agreement with Lebanon represents an important step towards enhanced cooperation, ensuring that the Lebanese researchers can continue to participate in PRIMA for the following years (2025-2027).