COUNCIL DECISION of 21 December 1990 adopting a specific research and technological development programme in the field of transport (EURET) 1990 to 1993 (91/11/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 130k of the Treaty provides that the framework programme is to be implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity;
Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (4), the Council adopted a second framework programme of Community research and technological development (1987 to 1991), providing inter alia for activities in the field of transport;
Whereas, following the adoption of Decision 90/221/Euratom, EEC (5) concerning the third framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and technological development (1990 to 1994), it is necessary to continue the implementation of the second framework programme (1987 to 1991) by means of specific programmes for which the latter makes provision as in the case of transport research (action line 2.3);
Whereas, for the selection of Community actions, the framework programme sets out criteria among which is that of contributing to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the Community, consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical quality;
Whereas completion of the internal market will mean a considerable increase in the demand for transport and will require the transport system as a whole to meet the increased demand for the carriage of goods and persons in the Community and to do so as efficiently, economically and with as little damage to health and the environment as possible and in a manner benefiting the least-favoured, island and border regions;
Whereas technological innovation can make an important contribution to the efficiency and competitiveness of the various modes of transport and can reduce their negative aspects, in particular their overall impact on the environment and their energy consumption, while improving their safety; whereas it can also contribute to improved working conditions for persons employed in this sector;
Whereas the growth in the volume of trade and travel could cause serious traffic congestion problems for which original solutions will be required once the appropriate goals are set for research, development and technological innovation;
Whereas, in close contact with the Member States, the Commission may take any useful initiative to promote coordination among Member States of their transport research activities;
Whereas cooperation in research enables progress to be made towards the standardization, compatibility and, in some cases, integration of transport networks, which are key features of a transport system which is both more efficient and less harmful to the environment;
Whereas small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) should be involved as far as possible in developing new transport technology; whereas account should be taken of their particular needs without prejudice to the scientific and technical quality of the programme.
Whereas the programme must take account of the regional dimension and regional problems and relations with transit countries;
Whereas Community transport technology may be enhanced by the participation - under appropriate conditions - of organizations and undertakings from European third countries which have concluded cooperation agreements with the Community relating to scientific and technical research and development;
Whereas a significant number of concerted actions in the field of transport research are carried out in the COST framework and these will play a complementary role to the activities foreseen in the present programme;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest) has been consulted,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: Article 1
A specific research and technological development programme for the European Economic Community in the field of transport, as defined in Annex I, is hereby adopted for a period of three years commencing on 21 December 1990. Article 2
1. The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the programme amount to ECU 25 million, including expenditure on a staff of six.
2. An indicative allocation of funds is set out in Annex II. Article 3
Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme and the rates of the Community's financial participation are set out in Annex III. Article 4
1. Before the end of the second year of the implementation of the programme, the Commission shall review it and send a report on the results of its review to the European Parliament and the Council; this report shall be accompanied, where necessary, by proposals for amendment or extension of the programme.
2. At the end of the programme an evaluation of the results achieved shall be conducted by the Commission, which shall report thereon to the European Parliament and the Council.
3. The reports referred to in paragraphs 1 and 2 shall be established having regard to the objectives set out in Annex I and in accordance with Article 2 (2) of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC. Article 5
The Commission shall be responsible for implementing the programme. It shall be assisted by a committee composed of the representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.
Contracts concluded by the Commission shall govern the rights and obligations of each party, in particular arrangements for the dissemination, protection and exploitation of research results. Article 6
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. The opinion shall be delivered by the majority laid down in Article 148 (2) of the Treaty in the case of decisions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States within the committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in that Article. The chairman shall not vote.
The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately. However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion of the committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to the Council forthwith. In that event:
- the Commission shall defer application of the measures which it has decided for a period which may in no case exceed three months from the date of communication,
- the Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different decision within the time limit referred to in the previous indent. Article 7
The procedure laid down in Article 6 shall apply in particular to:
- the contents of the calls for proposals,
- the assessment of the proposed projects and the estimated amount of the Community's contribution to them,
- the implementation of concerted actions,
- departures from the general rules governing Community participation set out in Annex III,
- the participation in any project by non-Community organizations and enterprises referred to in Article 8 (2),
- any adjustment to the indicative allocation of funds set out in Annexe II,
- the measures to be undertaken to evaluate the programme,
- the arrangements for the dissemination, protection and exploitation of the results of research carried out under the programme. Article 8
1. The Commission is authorized, in accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, to negotiate agreements with international organizations, third countries participating in European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST) and with European countries which have concluded framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation with the Community with a view to associating them with the programme.
2. Where framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation between European third countries and the European Communities have been conlcuded, organizations and undertakings established in those countries may, on the basis of the criterion of mutual benefit, become partners in a project undertaken within this programme.
3. No Contracting Party based outside the Community and participating in a project undertaken under the programme may benefit from Community financing for this programme. Such a Contracting Party shall contribute to the general administrative costs. Article 9
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 21 December 1990.