COUNCIL DECISION of 25 January 1999 adopting a research and training programme (Euratom) in the field of nuclear energy (1998 to 2002) (1999/175/Euratom)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
(1) Whereas by Decision 1999/64/Euratom (4), the Council adopted the fifth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (hereinafter referred to as 'the fifth framework programme`) for research and training (hereinafter referred to as 'RT`) activities for the period 1998 to 2002 setting out the general outlines and scientific and technological objectives of the research and training activities to be carried out in the field of nuclear energy;
(2) Whereas Article 3 of the fifth framework programme stipulates that the framework programme shall be implemented through specific research and training programmes drawn up in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty; whereas each programme defines the detailed rules for its implementation, fixes its duration and provides for the means deemed necessary;
(3) Whereas, in accordance with Article 4(2) of Council Decision 94/268/Euratom of 26 April 1994 concerning the fourth framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community (1994 to 1998) (5) and Article 4(2) of the Council Decisions on the specific programmes implementing the fourth framework programme, the Commission has arranged for an external assessment to be conducted which it has transmitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee together with its conclusions and comments;
(4) Whereas, in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty, Council Decision 1999/66/Euratom of 22 December 1998 concerning the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities for the implementation of the fifth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (6) (hereinafter referred to as 'the rules for participation`) applies to this specific programme; whereas these rules allow the participation of the Joint Research Centre in the indirect actions covered by this specific programme;
(5) Whereas, for the purpose of implementing this programme, it may be appropriate to engage in international cooperation activities, in particular on the basis of Article 101 of the Treaty, with third countries and international organisations;
(6) Whereas implementation of this programme will also comprise activities and mechanisms aimed at stimulating, disseminating and exploiting RT results, and activities to encourage the mobility and training of researchers;
(7) Whereas it is important that the scientific, industrial and user communities should contribute substantially to the definition of activities to be undertaken and should be involved, as appropriate, in the implementation of this programme;
(8) Whereas research activities under the fifth framework programme should also be geared towards innovation in order to contribute, inter alia, to the objectives of the first action plan for innovation;
(9) Whereas implementation of the JET (Joint European Torus) project has been given to the Joint European Torus (JET) joint undertaking set up under Council Decision 78/471/Euratom (7);
(10) Whereas the equal opportunities policy of the Community must be taken into account in the implementation of this programme;
(11) Whereas efficient and transparent management contributes to a more effective and user-friendly programme;
(12) Whereas administrative expenditure should be included in the Community budget in a transparent fashion;
(13) Whereas the implementation of this programme should be monitored with a view to adapting it, where appropriate, to scientific and technological developments; whereas in due course there should also be an assessment of progress with the programme by independent experts;
(14) Whereas the Scientific and Technical Committee (STC) has been consulted,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
In accordance with Article 3(1) of the fifth framework programme, the specific programme on research and training in the field of nuclear energy (hereinafter referred to as the specific programme) is hereby adopted for the period from 25 January 1999 to 31 December 2002.
Article 2
1. In accordance with Article 2 of the fifth framework programme, the amount deemed necessary for carrying out the specific programme is EUR 979 million, including a maximum of 13,5 % for the Commission's administrative expenditure.
An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex I.
2. Of the amount in paragraph 1:
- EUR 238,2 million is for the period 1998 to 1999,
and
- EUR 740,8 million is for the period 2000 to 2002.
In the case referred to in Article 2(1)(c) of the fifth framework programme, the Council shall adapt the latter figure in accordance with Article 2(1)(c), second indent of the fifth framework programme. Pending a decision by the Council, this specific programme shall not be implemented beyond the provision of the first indent.
3. The budgetary authority shall, in compliance with the scientific and technological objectives and priorities laid down in this Decision, set the appropriations for each financial year taking into account the availability of resources within the multiannual financial perspective.
Article 3
1. The general outlines, the scientific and technological objectives and the priorities for the specific programme are set out in Annex II. They are consistent with the principles and the three categories of selection criteria indicated in Annex I to the fifth framework programme.
2. In accordance with these principles and criteria the selection criteria indicated in Article 9 of the rules for participation shall be applied for the selection of the RT activities to be carried out.
All these criteria shall be complied with in the implementation of the programme, including the work programme referred to in Article 5(1), although they may be weighted differently.
3. The rules for participation shall apply to the specific programme.
4. The detailed rules for financial participation by the Community in the specific programme are those referred to in Article 4 of the fifth framework programme.
The indirect RT actions under the specific programme are defined in Annex III to the fifth framework programme.
Specific rules for implementing the programme are set out in Annex III to this Decision.
Article 4
In the light of the criteria referred to in Article 3, and the scientific and technological objectives and priorities set out in Annex II, the Commission:
(a) shall monitor, with appropriate assistance from independent external experts, the implementation of the specific programme and, where appropriate, submit proposals to the Council for adapting it, in accordance with Article 5(1) of the fifth framework programme;
(b) shall arrange for the external assessment provided for in Article 5(2) of the fifth framework programme to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in the fields covered by the specific programme.
Article 5
1. The Commission shall draw up a work programme specifying:
(a) in greater detail, the objectives and RT priorities of Annex II;
(b) the indicative timetable for the implementation of the specific programme;
(c) the coordination arrangements set out in Annex III;
(d) where necessary, the selection criteria and the arrangements for applying them for each type of indirect RT action.
2. The work programme shall take account of relevant interests, in particular the scientific, industrial and user communities. It shall serve as a basis for implementing the indirect RT actions according to the procedures set out in the rules for participation.
3. The work programme shall be updated where appropriate and be made available by the Commission to all interested parties in a user-friendly form, including in electronic form.
Article 6
1. The Commission shall be responsible for implementing this specific programme.
2. For the purposes of implementing this programme the Commission shall be assisted by a consultative committee. The members of this committee can vary according to the different subjects on the committee's agenda. For fission-related aspects, the composition of this committee and the detailed operational rules and procedures applicable to it shall be as laid down in Council Decision 84/338/Euratom, ECSC, EEC (8) dealing with management and coordination advisory committees. For the fusion-related aspects they shall be as laid down in the Council Decision of 16 December 1980 dealing with the consultative committee for the fusion programme.
Article 7
In accordance with Article 5(4) of the fifth framework programme, the Commission shall regularly inform the Council and the European Parliament of the overall progress of the implementation of the programme.
Article 8
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 25 January 1999.