On 18 May 1998 the Council of Ministers authorised the European Commission to negotiate the renewal of the agreement for scientific and technical co-operation between the European Union and Israel for the duration of the Fifth Framework programme for research and technological development (1998-2002). This resulted in a proposal from the European Commission for a scientific and technical co-operation agreement between the two parties on 17 July 1998(1). According to the draft agreement, research entities in Israel may participate in all the specific programmes of the Fifth Framework programme. This includes the Information Society Technologies programme which refers to libraries and archives. Research entities in the European Union may also participate in research programmes in Israel in themes equivalent to those of the Fifth Framework programme.
On 11 February 1999 the European Parliament adopted an opinion, approving the conclusion of the proposed agreement without any amendments. The Council of Ministers approved the agreement on 22 February 1999. The Agreement entered into force on 8 March 1999(2).
For further information, please visit the web site of ISERD, the Israeli Directorate responsible for participation in the Fifth Framework programme: http://www.iserd.org.il
Created: 24 November 1998
Updated: 22 December 1999