COUNCIL DECISION of 8 December 1993 adopting a specific programme of research and training in the field on controlled thermonuclear fusion (1994 to 1998) (94/799/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), which has consulted the Scientific and Technical Committee,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
Whereas, by Decision 94/268/Euratom (4), the Council adopted a framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and training for the period 1994 to 1998 specifying, inter alia, the activities to be carried out in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion; whereas this Decision takes account of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision;
Whereas Article 2 of Devision 94/268/Euratom specifies that the framework programme is to be implemented through specific programmes adopted in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty; whereas each specific programme is to specify its precise objectives in accordance with the scientific and technological objectives referred to in Annex III to the Decision, define the detailed rules for implementing it, fix its duration and provide for the means deemed necessary;
Whereas the amount deemed necessary for carrying out this programme is ECU 794 million; whereas the appropriations for each financial year shall be laid down by the budgetary authority, subject to the availability of resources within the financial perspectives and to the conditions set out in Article 1 (3) of the framework programme;
Whereas the content of the framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and training was established in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity; whereas this specific programme specifies the content of the activities to be carried out in accordance with this principle in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion;
Whereas, as is laid down in Annex III to Decision 94/268/Euratom, the Community needs a 'Community fusion` programme the long-term objective of which is the joint creation of safe, environmentally sound prototype reactors which should result in the construction of economically viable power stations; whereas the programme incorporates all the activities undertaken in the Member States in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion by magnetic confinement;
Whereas Decision 94/268/Euratom (framework programme 1994 to 1998) lays down that Community action is justified if, inter alia, the research contributes to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the Community and the promotion of its overall harmonious development while being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical quality; whereas this programme is intended to help meet these objectives;
Whereas the Community should support only RTD activities of high quality;
Whereas basic research in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion must be encouraged within the Community so as to enable innovative concepts to be developed;
Whereas the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres (including the JRC) and universities, specified in Decision 94/761/Euratom (5), apply to this specific programme;
Whereas this programme will help to strengthen synergy between the research and training activities carried out in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion by research centres, universities and undertakings established in the Member States and between these and the corresponding Community research and training activities;
Whereas the implementation of the Joint European Torus (JET) project was entrusted to the JET Joint Undertaking, set up by Decision 78/471/Euratom (1);
Whereas the network of Associations plays a major role in the implementation of the Community's controlled thermonuclear fusion activities;
Whereas, by virtue of Article 101 of the Treaty, the Community has concluded cooperation agreements in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion and plasma physics with the Kingdom of Sweden and the Swiss Confederation; whereas the Community has concluded other international agreements in this field, in particular the Agreement on Cooperation in the Engineering Design Activities for the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER-EDA) with Japan, the Russian Federation and the United States of America; whereas it may be apropriate to engage in further international cooperation activities with international organizations and third countries for the purpose of implementing this programme;
Whereas this programme should comprise also activities for the dissemination and exploitation of research results, in particular vis-à-vis small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as activities promoting the mobility and training of researchers within this programme to the extent necessary for the proper implementation of the programme;
Whereas an analysis should be made of the economic, social and environmental viability of controlled thermonuclear fusion and any technological risks associated with the activities carried out under this programme; whereas public concern over safety issues connected with fusion research implies that studies be carried out to assess the social acceptability of such research;
Whereas progress with this programme should be continuously and systematically monitored with a view to adapting it, where appropriate, to scientific and technological developments in this area; whereas, in due course, there should be an independent evaluation of progress with the programme so as to provide all the background information needed in order to determine the objectives of the next framework programme of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community; whereas, at the end of this programme, there should be a final evaluation of the results obtained compared with the objectives set out in this Decision;
Whereas the JRC may participate in indirect actions covered by this programme;
Whereas the JRC will also contribute, through its own programme, to the attainment of the Community research and training objectives in the areas covered by this programme,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
A specific programme of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community in the field of controlled thermonuclear fusion, as set out in Annex I, is hereby adopted for the period 8 December 1994 to 31 December 1998.
Article 2
1. The amount deemed necessary for carrying out the programme is ECU 794 million, including a maximum of 17 % for staff and administrative expenditure.
2. An indicative breakdown of the amount referred to in paragraph 1 is given in Annex II.
3. The budgetary authority shall lay down the appropriations for each financial year, subject to the availability of resources within the financial perspectives and in accordance with the conditions set out in Article 1 (3) of Decision 94/268/Euratom on the framework programme, taking into account the principles of sound management referred to in Article 2 of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities.
Article 3
1. The general rules for the Community's financial contribution are laid down in Annex IV to Decision 94/761/Euratom on the framework programme.
2. The rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities are specified in Decision 94/761/Euratom.
3. Annex III sets out the specific rules for implementing this programme, supplementary to those referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2.
Article 4
1. In order to help ensure, inter alia, the cost-effective implementation of this programme, the Commission shall continually and systematically monitor, with appropriate assistance from independent, external experts, the progress within the programme in relation to the objectives set out in Annex I. It shall in particular examine whether the objectives, priorities and financial resources are still appropriate to the changing situation. It shall, if necessary, in the light of the results of this monitoring process, submit proposals to adapt or supplement this programme.
2. In order to contribute towards the evaluation of Community activities, as required by Article 4 (2) of Decision 94/268/Euratom concerning the framework programme and in compliance with the timetable laid down in that paragraph, the Commission shall have an external assessment conducted by independent experts of the activities carried out within the fields covered by this programme and their management during the five years preceding this assessment.
3. At the end of this programme, the Commission shall have an independent final evaluation carried out of the results achieved compared with the objectives set out in Annex III to the framework programme and Annex I to this Decision. The final evaluation report shall be forwarded to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee.
Article 5
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the programme.
2. The Commission shall be assisted in the implementation of the programme by the Consultative Committee for the Fusion Programme set up by the Council Decision of 16 December 1980.
Article 6
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 8 December 1994.