COUNCIL DECISION of 20 June 1989 adopting a specific programme for the dissemination and utilization of scientific and technological research results (Value) 1989 to 1992 (89/412/EEC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community and in particular Article 130q (2) thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1),
In cooperation with the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas Article 130g (c) of the Treaty assigns to the Community the task of, inter alia, disseminating and optimizing the results of activities in Community research, technological development and demonstration;
Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty states that the framework programme shall be implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity;
Whereas, by Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (4), as amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom (5), the Council adopted a framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1987 to 1991), providing for activities in the field of dissemination and utilization of scientific and technological research results in order to increase the efficiency of the research and technological development work itself and to stimulate the process of innovation and industrial exploitation in Europe;
Whereas the Council decided on the same occasion to give more attention to these horizontal activities, which constitute an essential part of the Community's scientific and technological strategy;
Whereas Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC stipulates that a specific objective of Community research must be to strengthen the scientific and technological basis of European
industry, particularly in strategic sectors of advanced technology, and to encourage industry by making it more competitive at the international level, and whereas the same Decision also lays down that Community action is justified if it contributes, among other things, to enhancing the Community's economic and social cohesion and to encouraging its overall harmonious development, while at the same time being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical excellence; whereas Value programme is planned to contribute to the pursuit of these objectives;
Whereas a specific programme for the dissemination and utilization of the results of scientific and technological research should complement the activities carried out in this area in the context of other specific Community research and development programmes and should also be closely coordinated with Community programmes in related fields, such as the SPRINT programme and the action plan for small and medium-sized enterprises;
Whereas it is desirable to promote cooperation between European Community research and development programmes and Eureka projects; whereas, in the context of the present programme decision, it is desirable for appropriate links with the Eureka Cosine project to be established;
Whereas this programme must make use of the latest telecommunications and information technology to achieve its objectives, for example by the creation of computer networks;
Whereas the dissemination of results should be carried out taking into consideration the technologically strategic interests of participants in the Member States and of the Community and in conformity with any requirements of confidentiality;
Whereas it is appropriate for the special needs of small and medium-sized enterprises to be taken into account as regards technological information and assistance for exploitation;
Whereas the Commission, in implementation of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, carries out activities in the coal and steel sectors which do not come under the RTD framework programme and the results of which must be disseminated and used through appropriate autonomous activities;
Whereas the actions for the dissemination and utilization of results of specific Community technological research and development programmes laid down in the framework programme (1987 to 1991) are downstream from these specific programmes;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has given its opinion,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1 A specific programme for the dissemination and utilization of scientific and technological research results, known as the Value programme and hereinafter referred to as ´the programme', is hereby adopted for an initial period of four years from 27 June 1989.
Article 2 The programme shall comprise two sub-programmes.
The objectives and scientific and technical content of these sub-programmes are set out in detail in Annex I.
Article 3 1. The funds estimated as necessary for the Community's financial contribution to the execution of the programme amount to ECU 38 million, including expenditure arising from a temporary staff of 20.
2. An indicative breakdown of appropriations, for the estimated total amount, between the various activities listed in Annex I is given in Annex II.
Article 4 Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme and the rate of the Community's financial participation are set out in Annex III.
Article 5 1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme.
2. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.
Article 6 1. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Comittee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.
2. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.
3. The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.
Article 7 The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply in particular to:
- the content of calls for tenders,
- the assessment of the proposed projects and the estimated amount of the Community's contribution to them,
- confidentiality criteria for the disseminaton of results,
- departures from the general rules governing Community financial participation set out in Annex III,
- any adaptation of the indicative breakdown of appropriations set out in Annex II,
- the precise implementing procedures resulting from agreements with third countries,
- the measures to be undertaken to evaluate the programme.
Article 8 1. In the first half of the third year of the programme implementation, the Commission shall undertake a review of the programme and the extent to which the objectives set out in Annex I have been achieved. The Commission shall address a report to the European Parliament and the Council on the results of this review, together, if necessary, with any proposals for modification or prolongation in the light of the interim results achieved.
2. At the end of the programme, the Commission shall report to the European Parliament and the Council on the evaluation of the results achieved.
3. The reports provided for in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be drawn up having regard to the objectives set out in Annex I to
this Decision and in conformity with Article 2 (2) of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC.
Article 9 1. The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, agreements with third countries taking part in European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (Cost) with a view to associating them wholly or partially with the programme. These agreements shall be founded on the criteria of mutual advantage.
2. Before entering into the negotiations referred to in paragraph 1, the Commission shall consult the Council on
the advisability and on the terms of reference of these negotiations and shall take full account of the Council's views.
Article 10 This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Luxembourg, 20 June 1989.