Israel and EU move closer on Horizon 2020 project

by Shlomo Cesana

Science and Technology Minister Yaakov Peri says EU has "real willingness and even a desire" to bring Israel into prestigious $110 billion research funding program • But Israel will not join as long as Judea and Samaria are discriminated against.

"It appears there is an effort to find a European political solution," said Science and Technology Minister Yaakov Peri | Photo credit: Yonatan Zindel

Science and Technology Minister Yaakov Peri (Yesh Atid) reported to the Knesset on Wednesday about the difficulties during negotiations with the European Union to allow Israel into Horizon 2020, a prestigious 80 billion euro ($110 billion) European research funding program. 

Israel and the EU began negotiations in August, after talks hit a snag following EU directives a month earlier to prevent European funding of Israeli research institutions and companies based in or with branches located beyond the Green Line.

At this stage, Israel is not prepared to sign an agreement as long as the Europeans continue to discriminate against Judea and Samaria. 

"There are ongoing negotiations," Peri said. "There is real willingness and even a desire to bring us on board to this project. It appears there is an effort to find a European political solution. I hope it will not be an insufficient solution."

Shlomo Cesana

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=12809

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