1Council Decision (EU) 2025/1531 of 18 February 2025 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, on the participation of the Republic of Korea in Union programmes

Council Decision (EU) 2025/1531 of 18 February 2025 on the signing, on behalf of the Union, and provisional application of the Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, on the participation of the Republic of Korea in Union programmes THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and in particular Articles 186 and 212 in conjunction with Article 218(5) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the European Commission, Whereas: (1) By letter dated 14 February 2022, the Republic of Korea expressed its formal interest in becoming associated to Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) established by the Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council Regulation (EU) 2021/695 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 28 April 2021 establishing Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, laying down its rules for participation and dissemination, and repealing Regulations (EU) No 1290/2013 and (EU) No 1291/2013 (OJ L 170, 12.5.2021, p. 1, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/reg/2021/695/oj). (Horizon Europe). (2) On 15 May 2023, the Council adopted Decision (EU) 2023/1093 Council Decision (EU) 2023/1093 of 15 May 2023 authorising the opening of negotiations with the Republic of Korea for an Agreement on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Korea in Union programmes and on the association of the Republic of Korea to Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) (OJ L 146, 6.6.2023, p. 18, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2023/1093/oj). , authorising the opening of negotiations with the Republic of Korea for an agreement on the general principles for the participation of the Republic of Korea in Horizon Europe. (3) The negotiations have been completed and the Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, on the Participation of the Republic of Korea in Union programmes (the Agreement) was initialled on 29 March 2024. The conclusion of the negotiations was officially announced on 25 March 2024 in Brussels, Belgium. At the request of the Republic of Korea, additional negotiation rounds took place and a modified version of the Agreement text was initialled on 23 September 2024. (4) The objectives of the Agreement are to establish a longstanding framework for cooperation between the Union and the Republic of Korea and to set out the terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Korea in the Union programmes which are opened to its participation in accordance with the basic acts establishing Union programmes as defined in the Agreement. Under the Agreement, the Union will carry out cooperation measures with the Republic of Korea pursuant to Article 212 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. (5) Pursuant to Article 3(1) of the Agreement, the specific terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Korea in any Union programme or activity are subject to the basic acts and as covered by the Protocols to the Agreement.

(6) Pursuant to Article 3(2) of the Agreement, the specific terms and conditions for the participation of the Republic of Korea in Horizon Europe are laid down in the Protocol on the Association of the Republic of Korea to Horizon Europe – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation (2021-2027) (Protocol on the Association of Korea to Horizon Europe) to the Agreement. (7) In line with the Council’s mandate, the Protocol on the Association of Korea to Horizon Europe was negotiated in parallel to the Agreement and, pursuant to Article 17(9) of the Agreement, forms an integral part thereof. The Republic of Korea associates to Pillar II Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness of Horizon Europe. (8) The Republic of Korea fulfils the criteria set out in Article 16(1), point (d), of Regulation (EU) 2021/695. (9) The Agreement complies with Article 16(2) of Regulation (EU) 2021/695, which requires that the association to Horizon Europe of the third countries under Article 16(1), point (d), of that Regulation be in accordance with the conditions laid down in an agreement covering the participation of such a country or territory in any Union programme, provided that the agreement ensures a fair balance as regards the contributions and benefits of the third country participating in the Union programmes; lays down the conditions of participation in the Union programmes, including the calculation of financial contributions to individual programmes, and their administrative costs; does not confer on the third country any decision-making power in respect of the Union programme, and guarantees the rights of the Union to ensure sound financial management and to protect the Union’s financial interests. (10) Therefore, the Agreement should be signed. (11) With the aim of ensuring timely cooperation between the Union and the Republic of Korea in the field of research, technological development and innovation and allowing for the participation of Korean entities in Horizon Europe, the Agreement should be applied provisionally, HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The signing of the Agreement between the European Union, of the one part, and the Republic of Korea, of the other part, on the participation of the Republic of Korea in Union programmes is hereby authorised on behalf of the Union, subject to the conclusion of the Agreement The text of the Agreement is published in OJ L, 2025/1532, 31.7.2025, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree/2025/1532/oj. .

Article 2

The Agreement shall be applied provisionally, in accordance with Article 17(2) of the Agreement, as from the date on which the Parties have notified each other of the completion of their internal procedures necessary for that purpose, pending its entry into force.

Article 3

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its adoption. Done at Brussels, 18 February 2025. For the Council The President A. Domański