The European Commission and CERN signed on July 17th 2009 a Memorandum of Understanding  which aims to enhance the long-standing partnership between the two organizations. The MoU will provide a structured framework for cooperation across a broad range of issues of common interest, with emphasis on consolidating and further developing the European Research Area and facilitating the implementation of the European Strategy for Particle Physics, as defined by the CERN Council.

Both the European Commission and the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN) agree that there exists an enormous potential for cooperation in a remarkably broad range of areas, such as: research programming, training and mobility of researchers, science education, open publishing, technology transfer, innovation, building next generation infrastructures (including e-infrastructures) and global scientific cooperation.

According to the Memoradum of Understanding between EC and CERN, which was published in the OJEU on June 24th 2009, cooperation between the two sides will be based on areas of common interest, with due regard to their respective competences, institutional settings and operational frameworks.

The President of the CERN Council, Professor Torsten Åkesson welcomed the signing of the MoU highlighting that “the CERN Member States have given the Organization the responsibility to operate laboratories for research on high energy particles and the organization of international co-operation in this domain. To do this, CERN operates its world-leading laboratory and the CERN Council ensures a coherent European Strategy for Particle Physics. The EU is promoting cooperation in research between Member States with the aim of creating the European Research Area. We recognize each other's roles and look forward to working together for the benefit of European research."

EU Commissioner for Science and Research Janez Potočnik on hos side stressed the fact that “since its founding 55 years ago, CERN has been a shining example of international collaboration of excellence in particle physics. It contributes to realizing the European Research Area, this single market for research and knowledge that we strive to build. At a time when the EU needs to step up investment and cooperation in research, closely engaging organizations of the calibre of CERN in the process will be a strong asset."