On the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

PR_NLE-AP_Agreement

Symbols for procedures

* Consultation procedure

*** Consent procedure

***I Ordinary legislative procedure (first reading)

***II Ordinary legislative procedure (second reading)

***III Ordinary legislative procedure (third reading)

(The type of procedure depends on the legal basis proposed by the draft act.)

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

(14284/2024 – C10-0159/2025 – 2024/0178(NLE))

(Consent)

– having regard to the draft Council decision (14284/2024),

– having regard to the Agreement, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (14289/2024),

– 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 (C10-0159/2025),

– having regard to Rule 107(1) and (4), and Rule 117(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

– having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A10-0228/2025),

1. Gives its consent to the 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 Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

PRIMA has proven to be an effective framework for fostering scientific cooperation in the Mediterranean, addressing pressing challenges such as sustainable agro-food systems and integrated water management. The interim evaluation of 2023 confirmed its added value, demonstrating that it strengthens research capacities and supports the Union’s strategic priorities in the region.

In particular, PRIMA has proven to be a model of science diplomacy in the Mediterranean, a region of geopolitical importance for the Union. The partnership operates on the principles of mutual benefit, equal footing, co-ownership, co-decision and co-financing. Addressing the critical challenges of the region, where 180 million people are considered 'water poor' and where the agricultural sector has suffered from severe water shortages and decreasing crop yields, PRIMA's work directly contributes to regional stability, prosperity and resilience. The programme follows a long-term Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda covering three interconnected thematic areas: water management, farming systems and the food value chain, integrated since 2019 through the innovative Water-Energy-Food-Ecosystems Nexus approach.

Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan has been a committed partner in PRIMA since its inception. Jordan occupies in fact a position of strategic importance within Programme, and more broadly, in the Mediterranean research cooperation. The EU has consistently praised Jordan's active and constructive role in this co-chairmanship, recognizing its essential contribution to regional science diplomacy. This leadership position demonstrates that Jordan is an important architect of the Mediterranean research agenda and a ‘bridge builder’ among diverse partners across both shores of the Mediterranean. By enabling Jordanian researchers to collaborate with European and Mediterranean partners, PRIMA facilitates the cross-pollination of innovative approaches to challenges that transcend borders - from climate-resilient agriculture to efficient water use technologies - creating multiplier effects that benefit all participating countries.

The amended agreement aligns its participation with the new terms introduced under Horizon Europe and ensures compliance with the updated legal and financial framework. This step will allow Jordan to remain fully engaged in the partnership until 2031, guaranteeing continuity of cooperation and joint work on shared challenges.

The agreement is fully consistent with the EU’s external policies, including the New Agenda for the Mediterranean, the Global Approach to Research and Innovation and the Union’s climate and development objectives. It carries no additional budgetary implications beyond those already foreseen in the continuation of PRIMA under Horizon Europe.

In light of the proven benefits of PRIMA, representing a vital pillar of this deepened partnership, translating political commitments into concrete scientific collaboration that addresses shared challenges, Jordan’s longstanding engagement and the broader geopolitical importance of sustained cooperation with Southern Neighbourhood partners, the Rapporteur believes that it is in the Union’s clear interest to conclude this agreement. This will ensure continuity of a proven partnership, strengthen the EU's engagement with a key regional partner and reinforces the Union's commitment to addressing shared Mediterranean challenges through collaborative science, contributing simultaneously to research excellence, regional stability and development.

ANNEX: DECLARATION OF INPUT

Pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure, the rapporteur declares that he included in his report input on matters pertaining to the subject of the file that he received, in the preparation of the report, prior to the adoption thereof in committee, from the following interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register, or from the following representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies:

1. Interest representatives falling within the scope of the Interinstitutional Agreement on a mandatory transparency register

Prof. Angelo Riccaboni, Chair of the PRIMA Foundation

2. Representatives of public authorities of third countries, including their diplomatic missions and embassies

The list above is drawn up under the exclusive responsibility of the rapporteur.

Where natural persons are identified in the list by their name, by their function or by both, the rapporteur declares that he has submitted to the natural persons concerned the European Parliament's Data Protection Notice No 484 (https://www.europarl.europa.eu/data-protect/index.do), which sets out the conditions applicable to the processing of their personal data and the rights linked to that processing.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title

Amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)

References

14284/2024 – C10-0159/2025 – 2024/0178(NLE)

Date of consultation or request for consent

11.7.2025

Committee(s) responsible

Date announced in plenary

ITRE

8.9.2025

Rapporteurs

Date appointed

Paolo Borchia

23.9.2025

Date adopted

11.11.2025

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

70

3

0

Members present for the final vote

Wouter Beke, Hildegard Bentele, Tom Berendsen, Michael Bloss, Paolo Borchia, Markus Buchheit, Raúl de la Hoz Quintano, Pilar del Castillo Vera, Matthias Ecke, Christian Ehler, Sofie Eriksson, Jan Farský, Sigrid Friis, Lina Gálvez, Alexandra Geese, Bart Groothuis, Christophe Grudler, Elisabetta Gualmini, András Gyürk, Niels Flemming Hansen, Eero Heinäluoma, Ivars Ijabs, Diana Iovanovici Şoşoacă, Seán Kelly, Ondřej Knotek, Michał Kobosko, Ondřej Krutílek, Eszter Lakos, Isabella Lövin, Morten Løkkegaard, Sara Matthieu, Eva Maydell, Marina Mesure, Dan Nica, Angelika Niebler, Aleksandar Nikolic, Mirosława Nykiel, Daniel Obajtek, Nikos Pappas, Tsvetelina Penkova, Pascale Piera, Virgil-Daniel Popescu, Jüri Ratas, Julie Rechagneux, Aura Salla, Elena Sancho Murillo, Paulius Saudargas, Diego Solier, Nicolae Ștefănuță, Anna Stürgkh, Dario Tamburrano, Bruno Tobback, Matej Tonin, Kris Van Dijck, Yvan Verougstraete, Mariateresa Vivaldini, Andrea Wechsler, Angelika Winzig, Anna Zalewska, Auke Zijlstra

Substitutes present for the final vote

René Aust, Marc Botenga, Annalisa Corrado, Krzysztof Hetman, Rihards Kols, Lara Magoni, Oliver Schenk, Virginijus Sinkevičius, Marion Walsmann

Members under Rule 216(7) present for the final vote

Francisco Assis, Marieke Ehlers, Hanna Gronkiewicz-Waltz, Volker Schnurrbusch

Date tabled

12.11.2025

FINAL VOTE BY ROLL CALL BY THE COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Key to symbols: