Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation in Science and Innovation: 20 Years of the Barcelona Process

The Barcelona Declaration, the Association Agreements between the EU and the south Mediterranean countries, together with the Union for the Mediterranean ‘Paris Declaration,’ constitute the framework for cooperation policy development between the EU and the southern Mediterranean countries. This paper intends to highlight the milestones of such cooperation in Science and Innovation, reviewing the existing instruments and programmes, appraising the challenges and opportunities and proposing measures for future actions. In conclusion, the author highlights the importance of developing the sense of co-ownership for the cooperation, introducing structural and institutional reforms and building the capacity of youth in the southern Mediterranean countries and capitalizing on the value added of brain circulation. Two specific cooperation initiatives were singled out:The Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA) and the Common Euro-Mediterranean Innovation Agenda.