Research & Development: provisions of the EU - RM Association Agreement

It is well-known that in November 2013, in Vilnius, the Republic of Moldova initialled the Association Agreement with the European Union. The Association Agreement is generally an act of understanding, establishing a framework of legal and political relations. From the structural point of view the Association Agreement EU – RM has 972 pages and begins with preamble, which represents an introductive declaration that sets the document’s goal and objectives. The text consists of 7 parts: General Principles, Political Cooperation and Foreign Affairs and Security Policy; Justice Freedom and Security; Sectorial and Economic Cooperation; Trade and trade related topics (DCFTA); Financial cooperation including antifraud provisions, as well as Institutional, General and Final Provisions; Annexes that establish EU legislation to be taken up to a certain date, and 4 Protocols.

In addition to provisions that set bilateral cooperation between Moldova and the European Union on the economic dimension, industrial, energy, transportation, trade, etc., the Agreement contains provisions referring to "strengthening cooperation on the development of the Information Society".

Thus, Chapter 18 "Information Society" provides:
“The Parties shall strengthen cooperation on the development of the Information Society to benefit citizens and businesses through the widespread availability of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) and through better quality of services at affordable prices. This cooperation should aim at facilitating access to electronic communications markets, and encourage competition and investment in the sector as well as promote the development of public services online.”

The cooperation also implies “exchange of information and best practice on the implementation of national Information Society strategies, including, inter alia, initiatives aiming at promoting broadband access, improving network security and developing public services online.”

A major emphasis is placed on developing of the national administrative capacity in the field of communications and information technologies, through exchange of information, best practices and experience, to encourage better use of spectrum resources and promoting interoperability of Moldova and the EU.

Priorities are also: “encouraging and promoting the implementation of ICT tools for a better governance, e-learning and research, public healthcare, digitization of cultural heritage, development of eContent and electronic commerce; enhancing the level of security of personal data and the protection of privacy in electronic communications”.

Under the Agreement, the Republic of Moldova shall carry out approximation of its legislation to the EU acts and international instruments in the field of information society.

With reference to research and technological development, is mentioned the Chapter 24 of the Agreement, which states that:
„The Parties shall promote cooperation in all areas of civil scientific research and technological development and demonstration (RTD) on the basis of mutual benefit and subject to appropriate and effective protection of intellectual property rights.”

According to Article 128, the Republic of Moldova will benefit of: “policy dialogue and the exchange of scientific and technological information; facilitating adequate access to the respective programmes of the EU; increasing research capacity and the participation of research entities of the Republic of Moldova in the research Framework Programme of the EU; the promotion of joint projects for research in all areas of RTD; training activities and mobility programmes for scientists, researchers and other research staff engaged in RTD activities” and so on.

Research institutions from the Republic of Moldova shall be encouraged to make maximum use of the opportunities offered by the new Association Agreement, in particular through EU programs and projects in all areas of research.

The EU–RM Association Agreement:
http://eeas.europa.eu/moldova/assoagreement/assoagreement-2013_en.htm