AJC Hails Israel’s Joining EU Horizon 2020

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AJC Hails Israel’s Joining EU Horizon 2020

June 9, 2014 – New York – AJC praised the signing of a landmark agreement enabling Israel to participate in the European Commission’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation program.

“Forward-looking, ground-breaking cooperation between Israel and the EU further strengthens mutually beneficial ties,” said Daniel Schwammenthal, Director of AJC’s Transatlantic Institute, based in Brussels. “Israel’s participation in Horizon 2020 brings critical research and innovation to the center of Europe.”

Horizon 2020 is expected to provide about $1.9 billion between 2014 and 2020 to Israeli researchers and universities. “Israel is a strong player in research and innovation," said European Commission President José Manuel Barroso, who attended the signing ceremony in Jerusalem. "I am pleased that we are signing the agreement today since it reflects the mutual importance we attach to cooperation and partnership in research and innovation."

Barroso added that Israel is "an important partner for the EU to address societal challenges of common concern, such as ageing, food safety, environment protection or cleaner energy, and to strengthen the competitiveness of our industries."