Tunisia to start Horizon 2020 talks in June

The Prime Minister of Tunisia has said his country will begin negotiations to join the EU’s research and innovation framework programme next month.

Habib Essid made the announcement earlier this week in Brussels. If an association agreement is signed between the Tunis and the European Commission, the north African state would be become the 14th country to become associated to Horizon 2020.

At a press conference with European Commission Vice-President Federica Mogherini on Wednesday, Essid said: “Tunisia would be as such the first Arab country to have joined this framework programme.”

With talks set to begin in June, it is anticipated that an agreement will be signed in October.

During his visit, the Tunisian Prime Minister also held talks with European Commissioner for Research, Science and Innovation, Carlos Moedas.