Objetives

On the basis of the work of all the WPs of MIRA, the goal of this WP is to support the activities of the MoCo at logistics and intellectual levels. Moreover, this WP will address the dialogue and collaboration with institutions and persons responsible of the bilateral and multilateral cooperation programs in order to search synergies between these two types of actions.

Description

The activity of this important WP is based by the political changes occurred, notably the ambiguous character of the MoCo, based in the Barcelona Process and with a clear mandate to monitor and improve the Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation in RTD and produce recommendations to the EC for the use of its instruments in the common benefit of the EU-MPC dialogue, and the new role of the MoCo as SOM (Seniors Officers Meetings) to prepare the Ministerial Conference within the MPC. Up to now there are no major inconveniences as MIRA report to the MoCo and has received a green light to follow its activities.

The first task is Linking bilateral with multilateral, organizing Conference of MPC-EU cooperation programs managers to search for complementarities and synergies between the two types of actions. Subtask 1.1 Analysis of previous Regional Cooperation schemes. Activities: Analysis of previous Regional Cooperation schemes.

In the 15th meeting of the Monitoring Committee for Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation in RTD (MoCo), which took place in Hungary/Budapest on 23-24 June 2011, MoCo supported the launching of a Call for an ERA-NET/ERA-NET PLUS by the EC and urged its Members to express their intention to commit funds for the implementation of such a project, taking into account the progress of other relevant projects. In addition, the MoCo asked MIRA to prepare the conceptual note for an ERA-NET and to organize a preparatory meeting in that respect.

The second task is the "Pilot actions". Its activities are: promoting:

• Establishment of regional networks of research institutions from the MPC with an historical background of cooperation and
• Establishment of regional networks of research institutions from the MPC and the EU (These two actions will be implemented and concretized in a Meeting organized by P.23, indicated Activity 18 in the activities table).

The third task is exploring synergetic activities of different EU programs by organizing the dialogue of MoCo (small ad-hoc groups) with other DGs: InfoSo, Europaid (for ENP-I, the successor of MEDA), etc. and the Commission services in those MPC where there exist EU Delegations. Activities:

• Exploring synergetic activities of different EU programs by organizing the dialogue of MoCo (small ad-hoc groups) with other DGs: InfoSo, Europaid (for ENP-I, the successor of MEDA), etc. and the Commission services in those MPC where there exist EU Delegations. A Workshop on these topics and the possibilities of an integration of objectives and actions could be organized in connection with a MoCo Meeting.

The fourth task is the Annual MoCo Meetings. Activities:

• Organizing annual MoCo Meetings (including logistics) in cooperation with the EU Presidency and the European Commission. Among other issues, these meetings will follow the development of the project and related activities.

The fifth task is Producing Monitoring and review reports of the ongoing cooperation activities using the indicators defined in WP2 and in close cooperation with the members of WP2 and support to the functioning of the MoCo in close contact with the European Commission and the EU Presidency. (Task leader: P.3 with other partners involved in WP2).

The sixth task is the Support to the functioning of the MoCo in close contact with the European Commission and the EU Presidency. To this end, a Secretariat or focal point for the MoCo will be established to ensure the necessary continuity in the functioning of MoCo. Among others, proactive contacts with the forthcoming EU Presidencies and other stakeholders will take place to ensure optimum planning and sound content for the MoCo meetings.

In the context of the MPC initiative, the role of the MoCo Secretariat becomes more demanding in order to ensure the smooth and successful continuity in the functioning of the MoCo. Among other, the MoCo Secretariat should address the following:

• Implementation of studies on behalf of the MoCo, such as the “Assessment of the Cairo Declaration” (1st half of 2010);
  
• Creation of a leaflet (in order to be disseminated in major events) aiming at the enhancement of the public awareness of the MoCo in combination with the MPC initiative, promoting at the same time the role of the MIRA project.