The European Parliament adopted by 671 votes to 10, with 9 abstentions a legislative resolution on the draft Council decision concerning the renewal of the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the European Community and Ukraine.

Following the recommendation of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, the European Parliament gave its consent to the renewal of the Agreement.

The Council's draft concerns the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Ukraine for an additional period of five years with effect from 8 November 2019.

It is recalled that the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Ukraine was signed in Brussels on 4 July 2002 and entered into force on 11 February 2003. The Agreement was renewed for additional five-year periods, with retroactive effect to 8 November 2009 and 8 November 2014 respectively. The agreement expired on 7 November, 2019.

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Ukraine.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: the Council may adopt the act only if the European Parliament has given its consent.

CONTENT: the Council's draft concerns the approval, on behalf of the Union, of the renewal of the Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Ukraine for an additional period of five years with effect from 8 November 2019.

It is recalled that the Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Ukraine provided that the Agreement would be concluded for an initial period expiring on 31 December 2002 and would be renewable by common agreement between the Parties for additional periods of five years. The Agreement has been renewed for three additional five-year periods, with retroactive effect to 8 November 2009 and 8 November 2014 for the last two renewals, respectively. The agreement expired on 7 November 2019.

Ukraine is an important actor in science, technology and innovation in the Union's neighbourhood. This Council Decision should enable both parties to strengthen cooperation and develop a more strategic partnership by increasing the scale and scope of existing cooperation, addressing global challenges and promoting reciprocal access to programmes and funding.

As both Parties have confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement for a further period of five years, it is proposed that the content of the renewed Agreement should be identical to the content of the Agreement.

In order to ensure the continuity of the Agreement, the renewal should have retroactive effect to 8 November 2019.

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Ukraine.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Ukraine was signed in Brussels on 4 July 2002 and entered into force on 11 February 2003. The Agreement was renewed for additional periods of five years, with retroactive effect to 8 November 2009 and 8 November 2014 respectively. The Agreement expired on November 7, 2019.

Ukraine has a long tradition of excellence in science and technology and despite the difficulties encountered in recent years, the country still has first-class scientists and remains an important player in science, technology and innovation (STI) in the European Union's neighbourhood.

Cooperation between the EU and Ukraine is traditionally very active notably in the fields of advanced/new materials, IT-technology, physics and astronomy, engineering, agricultural technology, nanotechnology, biotechnology and their applications across various sectors such as aviation, energy, and biomedicine, in particular immunotherapies for cancer.

At the meeting of the EU-Ukraine Joint Scientific and Technological Cooperation Committee established by the agreement, held in Kiev on 29 January 2019, both parties noted their intention to renew the agreement for a further period of five years.

CONTENT: the Commission proposes that the Council decide to approve, on behalf of the Union, the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Ukraine for an additional period of five years with effect from 8 November 2019.

The substance of the renewed Agreement shall be identical to the substance of the current Agreement. The renewed Agreement shall not create any new or additional rights or obligations for either Party, but shall extend over time the existing legal regime between the Parties in the field of scientific and technological cooperation.

This Decision shall enable both Parties to strengthen cooperation and develop a more strategic partnership by increasing the scale and scope of existing cooperation, addressing global challenges and promoting reciprocal access to programmes and funding.

The renewal of the Agreement shall allow both the Union and Ukraine to mutually benefit from the scientific and technological progress achieved through their ongoing cooperation activities. It shall also allow an exchange of specific knowledge and transfer of know-how to the benefit of the scientific community, enterprises and citizens of both parties.

The Commission shall regularly monitor all activities carried out under the Agreement, including cooperative activities.

The budgetary impact (appropriations of an administrative nature) is estimated at EUR 0.360 million for the period 2019-2024.