JERUSALEM, June 9 (UPI) -- A new framework for cooperation between the European Union and Israel extends to the realm of energy and environmental protection, a top EU official said.
European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso met Sunday in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to sign a partnership agreement through the so-called Horizon 2020 program.
With a budget of more than $100 billion over the next seven years, the Horizon program is billed by the European Union as the largest research and innovation program of its kind in the world.
"Israel is a strong player in research and innovation and for this reason an important partner for the EU to address societal challenges of common concern, such as aging, food safety, environment protection or cleaner energy, and to strengthen the competitiveness of our industries," Barroso said in a statement.
The European Commission said the association agreement with Israel has "a very broad framework."
Israel gains access to the programs included under Horizon 2020 in exchange for an undisclosed level of funding for its budget.
