COUNCIL DECISION of 14 March 1989 adopting an experimental Community plan to support and facilitate access to large-scale scientific and technical facilities and installations of European interest (89/238/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,
In cooperation with the European Parliament (1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (2),
Whereas Article 130k of the Treaty states that the framework programme is to be implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity;
Whereas Council Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC of 28 September 1987 concerning the framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1987 to 1991) (3), as amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom (4), includes the use of major installations amongst the activities it provides for;
Whereas one of the objectives of the Community R & D efforts for 1987 to 1991 is to promote better use of human resources in the Community as a whole and to improve the utilization of large-scale scientific and technical installations through the addition of a European dimension;
Whereas the present plan, whilst being consistent with the pursuit of scientific excellence, will help to improve the Community's competitiveness in the field of research and at the same time strengthen economic and social cohesion in the Community;
Whereas the Commission will ensure that the research carried out under this plan falls solely within the scope of the Treaty, even in cases where the facility or installation used may not be wholly or partially covered by that Treaty;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has expressed its opinion on the Commission proposal,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1 An experimental Community plan to support and facilitate access to large-scale scientific and technical facilities and installations situated in the Community, hereinafter referred to as ´the Plan' and as defined in the Annex, is hereby adopted for a four-year period commencing on 1 January 1989.
Article 2 1. The Plan shall consist of temporary financial support measures designed to facilitate access to, and thereby develop the exploitation of, large-scale scientific facilities situated in the Community.
2. To achieve this objective, the Community shall provide financial support for operations chosen on the basis of their scientific and technical quality. Such operations, which will be selected in conformity with the procedure laid down in Article 3, shall be based on joint proposals from the institutions or bodies responsible for the facilities and from the scientists or research workers wishing to acquire access to them.
3. Community financial support for the operations shall be used to contribute, as necessary, to:
- the operating costs of the facilities and, if necessary, the cost of adaptations and/or special features to meet the objectives set out in paragraph 1,
- incidental expenditure arising from the operations,
- expenditure incurred by the scientists or research workers, including expenditure on mobility and travel.
4. The scientists or research workers acquiring access to a facility as a result of Community financial support under the Plan shall be nationals of a Member State. Financial support under the Plan shall be granted only to provide access to a scientific facility for scientists or research workers not normally enjoying access to the facility in question.
5. The Commission shall notify the European Parliament and the Council, within a maximum period of three months from their selection, of the list of beneficiaries (scientific installations and researchers) of the Plan.
6. The precise objectives of the Plan, together with its implementation procedures, are set out in the Annex.
Article 3 1. The Commission shall be responsible for implementing the Plan.
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.
3. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee 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.
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.
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 4 The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the Plan amount to ECU 30 million, including expenditure on a staff of three.
Article 5 The Commission shall address a report to the European Parliament and the Council after 30 months on the basis of an evaluation of the results so far achieved. This report shall be accompanied by suggestions for changes wich may be necessary in the light of these results.
After completion of the Plan, the Commission shall send to the European Parliament and the Council a report on the performance and results of the Plan.
The reports referred to in the first and second subparagraphs will be carried out in relation to the precise objectives set
out in the Annex to this Decision and in conformity with
Article 2 (2) of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC.
Article 6 This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 14 March 1989.