The European Union has for many years been engaged in various forms of scientific and technical co-operation with Morocco. Nearly 170 joint projects have been undertaken to date by European and Moroccan research teams. These projects include initiatives in areas as diverse as water management, public health, information technology, the environment, transport, and the economy. On 26 June 2003, Morocco and the EC signed a Scientific and Technical Co-operation Agreement . This agreement makes it easier for Moroccan universities, companies, and research centres to participate in the EU's 6th Research Framework Programme (2003-2006). It also opens up Moroccan projects to participation by researchers from the EU and enables a fair sharing of intellectual property rights generated by joint activities.