(1)

By Decision 2003/96/EC (2), the Council approved the conclusion of the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the European Community and Ukraine (3) (‘the Agreement’). The Agreement was signed in Copenhagen on 4 July 2002 and entered into force on 11 February 2003.

(2)

Article 12, point (b), of the Agreement provides that the Agreement is to be concluded for an initial period ending on 31 December 2002 and will be renewable by common agreement between the parties for additional periods of five years.

(3)

On the basis of Council Decision 2003/737/EC (4), the Agreement was thereby renewed on 22 September 2003 for an additional period of five years. Furthermore, on the basis of Council Decisions 2011/182/EU (5), (EU) 2015/344 (6) and (EU) 2020/788 (7), the Agreement was renewed for subsequent five-year periods, with retroactive effect as of 8 November 2009, 8 November 2014 and 8 November 2019, respectively. The last renewal expires on 8 November 2024.

(4)

Ukraine is an important actor in science, technology and innovation in the neighbourhood of the Union. In order to continue facilitating cooperation in common science and technology priority areas, both parties consider that the renewal of the Agreement would be in their mutual interest.

(5)

Both parties have confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement for an additional period of five years. The content of the renewed Agreement should remain identical to the content of the Agreement. For the purpose of ensuring continuity of the Agreement, the renewal should have retroactive effect as of 8 November 2024.

(6)

The renewal of the Agreement should therefore be approved on behalf of the Union.

(7)

In accordance with the Treaties, the Commission should express the Union’s consent to renew the Agreement,