Source: European Parliament
1. Any research and innovation activities carried out under Horizon Europe[1] must have an exclusive focus on civil applications, as set forth in applicable rules and in particular in the Horizon Europe Regulation[2]. During the execution of the Horizon Europe projects, all beneficiaries must ensure that the activities under the action comply with these rules.
At the level of implementation of Horizon Europe, several mechanisms have been put in place to prevent that EU funds are used for activities that could be contrary to international law. All projects are monitored by the Commission to verify in particular the use of EU funds and compliance with the contractual obligations. Any non-compliance may trigger corrective or contractual measures as provided for in the grant agreement (e.g. the recovery of EU funding or termination of the participation).
2. According to the relevant Horizon Europe framework, excluding participants from a Horizon Europe project on the sole grounds of their nationality would amount to discrimination. Pursuant notably to Article 2 (2) of the Association Agreement to Horizon Europe, Israeli entities participate in the Horizon Europe programme under terms and conditions equivalent to those applicable to legal entities established in the EU[3].
3. The EU-Israel Association Agreement[4] is the legal basis of the EU’s ongoing dialogue with Israeli authorities on all sectoral cooperation matters. It provides mechanisms to discuss issues and advance the EU point of view. The EU will continue to reaffirm its commitment to the application of international human rights and humanitarian law in the occupied Palestinian territory and in the Gaza Strip; at the same time the EU is working actively to revive a political process leading to a lasting and sustainable peace based on a two-state solution. A decision to suspend the Association Agreement lies with the Council and would require unanimity.
- [1] https://research-and-innovation.ec.europa.eu/funding/funding-opportunities/funding-programmes-and-open-calls/horizon-europe_en
- [2] https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/ALL/?uri=CELEX:32021R0695, OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1-68.
- [3] Article 2(2) of the Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and Israel, of the other part, on the participation of Israel in the Union programme Horizon Europe — the framework Programme for Research and Innovation, OJ L 95, 23/03/2022, p. 143-157.
- [4] OJ L 147, 21/06/2000.