Updates on the association of third countries to Horizon Europe

As of July 2024, there are 19 third countries associated to Horizon Europe, including EEA/EFTA countries (Iceland, Norway), Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye), European Neighbourhood Policy countries: Eastern Partnership (Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine), Southern neighbourhood countries (Israel, Tunisia) as well as other third countries (Canada, the Faroe Islands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom).

*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSC 1244 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence

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On 3 July 2024, Canada became Associated to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, with retroactive application as of 1 January 2024.

On 4 December 2023, the EU-UK Specialised Committee on Participation in Union Programme adopted the Protocol on the United Kingdom’s association to Horizon Europe, formalising the United Kingdom’s association to the Programme (with the exception of the EIC fund) as of 1 January 2024.

On 9 July 2023, New Zealand became associated to Pillar II of Horizon Europe, with retroactive application as of 1 January 2023.

Discussions on association are progressing well with other like-minded countries:

Formal negotiations with the Republic of Korea were launched on 22 May 2023 on occasion of the Summit. They were concluded in March 2024, and the association could start already in 2025.

Exploratory talks with Japan have been closed on 12 September 2022 and the two sides are currently intensifying preparatory technical discussions in view of a potential launch of formal negotiations.

Official negotiations for the association of Switzerland were launched in March 2024.

In March 2024 Egypt expressed interest in association to Horizon Europe by sending a formal letter of intent, exploratory talks are at present under preparation.

Singapore expressed its interest to launch exploratory discussions on association in April 2024.

Association negotiations with Morocco are currently paused.

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