Signature of the EU/Mexico Scientific and Technological Cooperation Agreement

Brussels, 03 Feb 2004

An Agreement on Scientific and Technological Co-operation between the European Community and Mexico was signed today:

- for the European Community, by
Mrs. Anne ANDERSON, Ambassador, Irish Permanent Representative to the European Union, and
Mr. Philippe BUSQUIN, Member of the European Commission in charge of Research, and

- for Mexico, by
Mr Jaime Parada AVILA General Director of the National Council for Science and Technology

This Agreement for scientific and technological co-operation is part of the general co-operation between Mexico and the Community. It aims at extending and strengthening the co-operative activities in areas of common interest and the application of the results of such co-operation to the economic and social benefit of both Parties. This Agreement does not affect the participation of Mexico, as a developing country, in Community activities in the field of research for development.

This co-operation will be conducted on the basis of an appropriate balance of advantages and on reciprocal opportunities regarding the participation in the research and technological development activities of each Party. Parties should exchange timely all information which may affect their co- operative activities.

Research activities under this Agreement must be directed towards promoting scientific progress, industrial competitiveness and economic and social development. The following areas are covered: research on the environment and climate, including Earth observation, biomedical and health research, agriculture, forestry and fisheries, industrial and manufacturing technologies, research on electronics, materials and metrology, non-nuclear energy, transport, information society technologies, research on economic and social development, biotechnologies, aeronautics and space research and applied research, and science and technology policy.

The Agreement provides for a wide range of co-operative ventures, including the establishment of networks and alliances between research centres and research and technology institutes, and the implementation of projects of common interest, as well as the implementation of RTD projects between research and business centres in Mexico and Europe, including technology-based companies. It also provides for the participation of Mexican research institutes in RTD projects under the sixth Framework Programme and the reciprocal participation of research institutes established in the Community in Mexican projects in corresponding area of research, subject to the rules and procedures applicable in RTD programmes of each Party.

The initial duration of this Agreement is five years. It will enter into force as soon as internal procedures of both Parties have been completed.

Item source: http://ue.eu.int/pressData/en/er/78933.p df