Brussels, 08 Oct 2003
Association agreements allowing Swiss and Israeli researchers to participate in the Sixth Framework Programme (FP6) on an equal footing with their EU counterparts are ready and awaiting Council approval.
The agreement with Switzerland was initialled in September, and both parties have agreed that, providing the document is signed and ratified as intended, it will enter into force on 1 January 2004. This will enable Swiss research teams to participate in calls for proposals with a closing date of this autumn.
Both Swiss and Israeli participants will receive EU funding, as their countries are associated to the EU. Contributions from Switzerland and Israel to the FP6 budget have not yet been finalised, but Switzerland is expected to provide between 129 and 142 million euro.
A similar agreement with Israel is now awaiting the final green light from the Council, having been signed by representatives from Israel and the Commission.
While the agreement with Switzerland also covers the Euratom programme, the agreement with Israel does not.
For further information on association agreements with third countries under FP6, please visit:
http:///www.cordis.lu/fp6/inco_policies_t hird.htm