The European Union (EU) and Israel have a long history of successful scientific and technological cooperation. The Association Agreement, signed in Brussels on 20 November 1995 and having entered into force in June 2000, provides the legal framework for EU-Israel relations. It establishes a regular dialogue on scientific, technological, cultural, audio-visual and social matters. Israel is also part of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and under the European Neighbourhood Policy Action Plan, ten sub-committees were established, including one on research, innovation, information society, education and culture.
Israel has been associated to the EU’s research and innovation framework programmes since 1996. The agreement on Israel’s participation in Horizon 2020 was signed on 8 June 2014. 2016 marked the 20th anniversary of the country’s association the framework programmes. The celebrations started in Israel in January 2016 and concluded with a festive conference in January 2017. Israel also has a number of agreements with the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre.
