Council Decision (EU) 2026/1414 of 21 April 2026 on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Lebanon, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Lebanon, setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Lebanon in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA)
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Address https://gelex.eu/eli/EU/decision/2026/1414@2026-04-21/en
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Article 186, in conjunction with Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v), thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission,
Having regard to the consent of the European Parliament,
Whereas:
(1) Decision (EU) 2017/1324 of the European Parliament and of the Council established the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) under Horizon 2020, established by Regulation (EU) No 1291/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council, for a period until 31 December 2028.
(2) Lebanon is one of 19 Participating States in PRIMA, having concluded an agreement for scientific and technological cooperation setting out the terms and conditions for its participation in PRIMA (the PRIMA Agreement). The PRIMA Agreement is to remain in force for as long as Decision (EU) 2017/1324 is in force.
(3) Decision (EU) 2024/1167 of the European Parliament and of the Council extended PRIMA’s overall duration until 31 December 2031 and provided for Lebanon to continue to participate in PRIMA under Horizon Europe, subject to the conclusion of an agreement, in the form of an exchange of letters, amending and supplementing the PRIMA Agreement.
(4) Since Lebanon has expressed its interest in continuing to participate in PRIMA under Horizon Europe, it should formally accept the updated terms and conditions for such participation.
(5) To that end, on 9 November 2023, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2023/2621 authorising the Commission to negotiate an agreement, in the form of an exchange of letters, amending and supplementing the PRIMA Agreement, setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of Lebanon in PRIMA under Horizon Europe.
(6) The negotiations were succesfully concluded on 22 July 2024, and in accordance with Council Decision (EU) 2025/521, the Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Lebanon, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Lebanon setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Lebanon in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) (the Agreement), was signed on 8 December 2025, subject to its conclusion at a later date.
(7) The Agreement should be approved on behalf of the Union,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
The Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Lebanon, in the form of an Exchange of Letters, amending and supplementing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and the Republic of Lebanon setting out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Lebanon in the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.
Article 2
This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption.
Done at Luxembourg, 21 April 2026. For the Council The President K. Kallas