COUNCIL DECISION of 20 June 1989 on a specific research and technological development programme in the field of marine science and technology (MAST) (89/413/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 states that the framework programme is to be implemented through specific programmes developed within each activity;
Whereas, by its Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC (4), as amended by Decision 88/193/EEC, Euratom (5), the Council has adopted a framework programme for Community research and technological development (1987 to 1991), providing, inter alia, for activities in the exploitation of the sea bed and the use of marine resources;
Whereas Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC stipulates that a particular aim 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 strengthening the Community's economic and social cohesion and to promoting its overall harmonious development, while at the same time being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical excellence; whereas the MAST programme is planned to contribute to the pursuit of these objectives;
Whereas the European Parliament has stressed the need for cooperation, coordination and complementarity of national
policies in the field of oceanography and marine technology and has recommended that the Commission should undertake a number of actions to that effect under the framework programme, including a specific programme for marine science and technology;
Whereas other Community programmes (e.g. environmental protection, climatology and natural hazards, fisheries, technological development in the hydrocarbons sector, non-nuclear energy and some activities of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) have a bearing on topics in marine science and technology, but none are directed specifically at marine research;
Whereas in the present context of expanding industrialization, increasing pressure is being placed on the marine and especially the coastal environment;
Whereas it is widely recognized that a good knowledge base and reliable predictive techniques are essential for long-term management and protection strategies for the marine environment; whereas to achieve these objectives much can be gained from effective coordination of the research programmes of the Member States and joint execution of European projects in marine science and technology would be beneficial;
Whereas participation by certain European third countries in a Community research and development programme in marine science and technology would be beneficial;
Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (CREST) has given its opinion,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1 A specific research and technological development programme for the European Economic Community in the field of marine science and technology (MAST), as defined in Annex I, is hereby adopted for a period of three years, starting on 28 June 1989.
Article 2 The funds estimated as necessary for the Community contribution to the execution of the programme amount to ECU 50 million, including expenditure on a staff of 13.
An indicative breakdown of these funds is set out in Annex II.
Article 3 Detailed rules for the implementation of the programme are set out in Annex III.
Article 4 During the second year of implementation, the Commission shall review the programme 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 the amendment or extension of the programme.
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.
The abovementioned reports shall be established having regard to the objectives set out in Annex I to this Decision and in accordance with Article 2 (2) of Decision 87/516/Euratom, EEC.
Article 5 The Commission shall be responsible for the execution of the programme.
The Commission shall be assisted by a committee of an advisory nature, hereinafter referred to as ´the 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 or research results.
Article 6 1. The representative of the Commission shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.
2. The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes of the Committee; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to have its opinion 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 procedures laid down in Article 6 shall apply in particular to:
- the contents for the call for proposals,
- the assessment of the proposed projects and the estimated amount of the Community's contribution to them,
- 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 (3),
- any adaptation of the indicative breakdown of funds set out in Annex II,
- the measures to be undertaken to evaluate the programme,
- arrangements for the dissemination, protection and exploitation of the results of research carried out under the programme.
Article 8 1. The Commission is hereby authorized to negotiate, in accordance with Article 130n of the Treaty, agreements with international organizations, those third States participating in European Cooperation in the field of Scientific and Technical Research (COST), and those European countries having concluded framework agreements in scientific and technical cooperation with the Community, with a view to associating them wholly or partly with the programme.
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.
3. Where framework agreements for scientific and technical cooperation between European third countries and
the European Communities have been concluded, organizations and enterprises established in those countries may, on the basis of the criterion of mutual advantage, become partners in a project undertaken within the programme.
No contractor established outside the Community who participates as a partner in a project undertaken within the programme shall be entitled to Community financing intended for the programme. The contractor will contribute to general administrative expenses.
Article 9 This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Luxembourg, 20 June 1989.