Council Decision
of 30 September 2002
adopting a specific programme for research and training to be carried out by the Joint Research Centre by means of direct actions for the European Atomic Energy Community (2002-2006)
(2002/838/Euratom)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the first paragraph of 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),
Whereas:
(1) By Decision No 2002/668/Euratom, the Council adopted the Sixth Framework Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities also contributing to the creation of the European Research Area (2002-2006)(4) (hereinafter referred to as "the framework programme") to be implemented by means of research and training programme(s) drawn up in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty, which define the detailed rules for their implementation, fix their duration and provide for the means deemed necessary.
(2) The rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities and for the dissemination of research results, for the framework programme, should apply to this programme.
(3) In implementing this programme, emphasis should be given to promoting the mobility and training of researchers, and innovation, in the Community.
(4) For the purpose of implementing the framework programme, it may be appropriate to engage in international cooperation activities, in particular on the basis of Chapter 10 of the Treaty, with third countries and international organisations. In this connection, the Joint Research Centre (JRC) will seek to represent all interests of the Community and its Member States and make the best possible use of the networks it operates.
(5) In implementing this programme, special attention should be paid to the candidate countries. The JRC will undertake appropriate training activities in nuclear safety and safeguards, including measures to control the illicit trafficking of nuclear materials.
(6) The JRC takes part in European networks on nuclear reactor safety which aim at improving the various safety practices and approaches and will thus contribute to a similar process in candidate countries.
(7) Research activities carried out within this programme should respect fundamental ethical principles, including those reflected in Article 6 of the Treaty on the European Union and in the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, as well as the need to take into account public acceptability of these activities.
(8) Following the Commission Communication "Women and Science" and the Resolutions of the Council of 20 May 1999(5) and 26 June 2001(6) and the Resolution of the European Parliament of 3 February 2000(7) on this theme, an Action Plan is being implemented in order to boost and increase the place and role of women in science and research in Europe, which should ensure the respect of equality of opportunity, irrespective of gender.
(9) This programme should be implemented in a flexible, efficient and transparent manner, taking account of relevant needs of the JRC's users and Community policies, as well as respecting the objective of protecting the Community's financial interests. The research activities carried out under it should be adapted where appropriate to these needs and to scientific and technological developments.
(10) The JRC will continue to meet the requirements of Community policies as reflected by its users; in order to do this effectively, it will maintain a suitable balance with research activities required for achieving scientific excellence.
(11) The JRC should implement the research and training activities carried out by means of direct action, in particular the tasks entrusted to the Commission by the Treaty. The Commission should undertake the tasks incumbent upon it in the area of nuclear fission, making use of the technical expertise of the JRC.
(12) The JRC should actively pursue activities in innovation and technology transfer.
(13) In the implementation of this programme, the Board of Governors of the JRC should be consulted by the Commission in accordance with the relevant provisions of Commission Decision 96/282/Euratom of 10 April 1996 on the reorganisation of the JRC(8).
(14) The Commission should in due course arrange for an independent assessment to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in the fields covered by this programme. Such an assessment should be carried out in a spirit of openness, with respect to all the relevant actors.
(15) The Scientific and Technical Committee has been consulted on the scientific and technological content of this specific programme.
(16) The Board of Governors of the JRC has been consulted on the scientific and technological content of this specific programme,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
1. In accordance with Decision 2002/668/Euratom on the framework programme 2002-2006 (hereinafter referred to as "the framework programme"), a specific programme related to direct action of research and training activities to be carried out by the JRC (hereinafter referred to as "the specific programme") is hereby adopted for the period from 30 September 2002 to 31 December 2006.
2. The objectives and scientific and technological priorities for the specific programme are set out in Annex I.
Article 2
In accordance with Annex II to [Decision 2002/668/Euratom] the framework programme, the amount deemed necessary for the execution of the specific programme is EUR 290 million. An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex II to this Decision.
Article 3
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the specific programme.
2. The specific programme shall be implemented in accordance with the specific rules set out in Annex III.
Article 4
1. The Commission shall draw up a work programme for the implementation of the specific programme, which shall be made available to all interested parties, setting out in greater detail the objectives and priorities, the timetable for implementation and the implementation arrangements.
2. The work programme shall take account of relevant research activities carried out by the Member States, Associated States, European and international organisations. It shall be updated where appropriate.
Article 5
1. For the purposes of implementing the specific programme, the Board of Governors of the JRC shall be consulted by the Commission in accordance with Commission Decision 96/282/Euratom.
2. The Commission shall regularly inform the Board of Governors of the implementation of this specific programme.
Article 6
1. The Commission shall regularly report on the overall progress of the implementation of the specific programme, in accordance with Article 4 of the framework programme.
2. The Commission shall arrange for the independent assessment provided for in Article 5 of the framework programme to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in the fields covered by the specific programme.
Article 7
The Commission may request the JRC to execute, on the basis of the criterion of mutual benefit, projects with legal entities established in third countries when this contributes effectively to the execution of direct actions.
Article 8
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 30 September 2002.