23.3.2022
EN
Official Journal of the European Union
L 95/19
SEEKING to establish mutually advantageous conditions in order to create decent jobs, to strengthen and support innovation ecosystems of the Parties by helping enterprises to innovate and scale up in the markets of the Parties and facilitating the uptake as well as deployment and accessibility of innovation, including capacity building activities; RECOGNISING that reciprocal participation in each other’s research and innovation programmes should provide mutual benefits; while acknowledging that the Parties reserve their right to limit or condition participation in their research and innovation programmes including in particular for actions related to their strategic assets, interests, autonomy or security; CONSIDERING that the common goals, values and strong links of the Parties in the field of research and innovation, established in the past through the Association Agreements to the subsequent Framework Programmes, and recognising the common desire of the Parties to further develop, strengthen, stimulate and extend their relations and cooperation therein, HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1 Scope of the association 1.
The Republic of Moldova shall participate as an associated country in and contribute to all parts of the Horizon Europe Programme - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (the Horizon Europe Programme) referred to in Article 4 of Regulation (EU) 2021/695 and implemented through the specific programme established by Decision (EU) 2021/764 (5), in their most up to date versions, and through a financial contribution to the European Institute of Innovation and Technology. 2.
Regulation (EU) 2021/819 of the European Parliament and of the Council (6), and Decision (EU) 2021/820 (7), in their most up to date versions, shall apply to the participation of Moldovan legal entities in Knowledge and Innovation Communities.
Article 2 Terms and conditions of participation in the Horizon Europe Programme 1.
The Republic of Moldova shall participate in the Horizon Europe Programme in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Protocol I to the Association Agreement between the European Union and the European Atomic Energy Community and their Member States, of the one part, and the Republic of Moldova, of the other part, on a Framework Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Moldova on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Moldova in Union Programmes, and under the terms and conditions set forth in this Agreement, in the legal acts referred to in Article 1 of this Agreement, as well as in any other rules pertaining to the implementation of the Horizon Europe Programme, in their most up to date versions. 2.
Unless otherwise provided for in the terms and conditions referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, including in implementation of Article 22(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, legal entities established in the Republic of Moldova may participate in indirect actions of the Horizon Europe Programme under conditions equivalent to those applicable to legal entities established in the European Union, including respect for the European Union restrictive measures (8). 3.
Before deciding on whether legal entities established in the Republic of Moldova are eligible to participate in an action related to European Union’s strategic assets, interests, autonomy or security under Article 22(5) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, the Commission may request specific information or assurances, such as: a) information whether reciprocal access has been or will be granted to legal entities established in the European Union to existing and planned programmes and projects of the Republic of Moldova equivalent to the Horizon Europe action concerned; (5) Council Decision (EU) 2021/764 of 10 May 2021 establishing the Specific Programme implementing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, and repealing Decision 2013/743/EU (OJ L 167 I, 12.5.2021, p. 1.).
(6) Regulation (EU) 2021/819 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 on the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (recast) (OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, p. 61.).
(7) Decision (EU) 2021/820 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 20 May 2021 on the Strategic Innovation Agenda of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) 2021-2027: Boosting the Innovation Talent and Capacity of Europe and repealing Decision No 1312/2013/EU (OJ L 189, 28.5.2021, p. 91.).
(8) The EU restrictive measures are adopted pursuant to Article 29 of the Treaty on the European Union or Article 215 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.