On 13 March 2006 the EIB signed a cooperation agreement with FEMISE, the Euro-Mediterranean network of economics institutes.
The Memorandum of Understanding covers cooperation in the field of research within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (FEMIP), aimed at gaining a better understanding of the socioeconomic context in the region and of the banking environment in the mediterranean partner countries.
Femise consists of over 50 institutes from the 10 Mediterranean partner countries, 12 of the EU Member States, and acceding as well accession countries.
Its main research objectives for the period 2005-2009 include:
The EIB and Femise intend to cooperate in a number of fields: carrying out specific studies on the basis of work programmes, consulting on specific issues, exchange of experts, labelling of joint operations, etc.