Communication concerning an observer status for the European Union in the International Centre for Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME)

SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East) is an international centre for research and advanced technology, with a seat in Jordan. It is a unique endeavour, established with the aim of using science diplomacy in fostering a culture of peace and cooperation in the Broader Middle East.

Members of SESAME are Bahrain, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Israel, Jordan, Pakistan, Palestine and Turkey whereas Brazil, China, Japan, Kuwait, Switzerland, the Russian Federation, the US, as well as several EU Member States (France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom) have observer status.

The European Commission has repeatedly expressed its support for SESAME, contributing over the years more than €10m to it under the 7th Framework Programme, bilateral EU-Jordan financial assistance programmes and specific research projects. The EU's key technical contribution to SESAME is the magnet system for its main storage ring and is considered a catalyst for the realisation of SESAME. Finding the necessary capital funding has been a huge challenge for SESAME. In this context Commission and EU Member States' contributions have been vital in ensuring the initiative's implementation.

The EU invests substantial amounts in research and science cooperation in the region and in particular in SESAME. The European Commission therefore considers that seeking an EU observer status in SESAME would:
- adequately reflect the EU's considerable involvement and contribution to the initiative; increase the EU's global visibility and raise the international profile of the Union as important contributor to scientific excellence and development in the region;
- contribute to job creation, growth and stability in the region;
- strengthen technology transfer and innovation in the region; demonstrate leadership in global science cooperation in line with its guiding principles, sustainable development and mutual respect among people; provide the Union with a good example of a well-functioning science diplomacy instrument; raise the project's visibility and consequently mobilise further support from other regional players.

Based on the above mentioned elements, the European Commission considers that the EU would substantially gain visibility and influence by obtaining observer status in SESAME. The Commission invites the Council to endorse the above outlined approach and support the Commission in preparing actions so that the EU obtains observer status in SESAME.

EUR-Lex: COM(2015)65: Follow the progress of this communication through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2015:065:FIN

ESO: Background information: European Commission and CERN support major research facility in the Middle East http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-european-commission-and-cern-support-major-research-facility-in-the-middle-east/

---