COUNCIL DECISION of 25 January 1999 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 (1998 to 2002) (1999/176/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),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3),
(1) Whereas, by Decision 1999/64/Euratom (4), the Council adopted a fifth framework programme for Community activities in the field of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community for the period 1998 to 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the fifth framework programme) setting out the general outlines and scientific and technological objectives of the activities to be implemented by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) for the European Atomic Energy Community;
(2) Whereas Article 3 of the fifth framework programme stipulates that it shall be implemented through specific programmes drawn up in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty, one programme of which concerning in particular the JRC;
(3) Whereas, in accordance with Article 4(2) of Council Decision 94/268/Euratom of 26 April 1994 concerning the fourth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community activities in the field of research and training (1994 to 1998) (5) and Article 7(3) of the Council Decisions on the specific programmes implementing the direct actions of the fourth framework programme, the Commission has arranged for an external assessment to be conducted which it has transmitted to the European Parliament, the Council and the Economic and Social Committee together with its conclusions and comments;
(4) Whereas Council Decision 1999/66/Euratom of 22 December 1998 concerning the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres and universities in the implementation of the fifth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) (1998 to 2002) (6) allows the participation of the Joint Research Centre in indirect actions;
(5) Whereas, for the purpose of implementing this programme, it may be appropriate to engage in international cooperation activities, in particular on the basis of Chapter X of the Treaty, with third countries or international organisations;
(6) Whereas implementation of this programme will also comprise activities aimed at stimulating, disseminating and exploiting research results, in particular vis-à-vis small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and activities to stimulate the mobility and training of researchers;
(7) Whereas research activities under the fifth framework programme should also be geared towards innovation in order to contribute, inter alia, to the objectives of the first action plan for innovation; whereas the JRC should actively pursue activities in innovation and technology transfer;
(8) Whereas the equal opportunities policy of the Community must be taken into account in the implementation of this programme;
(9) Whereas the Joint Research Centre (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; whereas the Commission should undertake the tasks incumbent on it in the area of nuclear fission, making use of the technical expertise of the JRC; whereas particular attention should be paid to the safety of the nuclear fuel cycle and its impact on man and the environment;
(10) Whereas the implementation of this programme should be monitored with a view to adapting it, where appropriate, to scientific and technological developments and needs; whereas in due course there should also be an assessment of progress with the programme by independent experts;
(11) Whereas, in the implementation of this programme, the Board of Governors of the JRC is consulted by the Commission in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Commission Decision concerning the organisation of the JRC; whereas the current provisions are set out in Commission Decision 96/282/Euratom (7);
(12) Whereas the Scientific and Technical Committee and the Board of Governors of the JRC have been consulted on the scientific and technological content of this specific programme,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
Article 1
In accordance with Article 3(1) of the fifth framework programme, a specific programme related to direct actions of research and training activities to be carried out by the JRC (hereafter referred to as the specific programme) is hereby adopted for the period from 25 January 1999 to 31 December 2002.
Article 2
1. The amount deemed necessary for the execution of direct actions by the JRC under this programme is EUR 281 million.
An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in Annex I.
2. Of the amount in paragraph 1:
- EUR 71,8 million is for the period 1998 to 1999,
and
- EUR 209,2 million is for the period 2000 to 2002.
In the case referred to in Article 2(1)(c) of the fifth framework programme, the Council shall adapt the latter figure in accordance with Article 2(1)(c), second indent of the fifth framework programme. Pending a decision by the Council, this specific programme shall not be implemented beyond the provision of the first indent.
3. The budgetary authority shall, in compliance with the scientific and technological objectives and priorities laid down in this Decision, set the appropriations for each financial year taking into account the availability of resources within the multiannual financial perspective.
Article 3
1. The general outlines, the scientific and technological objectives and the priorities for the programme are set out in Annex II. They are consistent with the principles and the three categories of selection criteria indicated in Annex I to the fifth framework programme.
2. The detailed rules for financial participation by the Community in the specific programme are those referred to in Article 4 of the fifth framework programme.
Direct actions are defined in Annexes II and III to the fifth framework programme.
Specific rules for implementing the programme are set out in Annex III to this Decision.
Article 4
In the light of the criteria referred to in Article 3(1), and the scientific and technological objectives and priorities set out in Annex II, the Commission:
(a) shall monitor, with appropriate assistance from independent external experts, the implementation of the specific programme and, where appropriate, submit proposals to the Council for adapting it, in accordance with Article 5(1) of the fifth framework programme;
(b) shall arrange for the external assessment provided for in Article 5(2) of the fifth framework programme to be conducted concerning the activities carried out in the fields covered by the specific programme.
Article 5
1. The Commission shall draw up a work programme specifying:
(a) in greater detail, the objectives and priorities of Annex II;
(b) the indicative timetable for the implementation of the specific programme.
2. This work programme shall be updated where appropriate and be made available by the Commission to all interested parties in a user-friendly form, including in electronic form.
Article 6
1. The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of this programme, carried out by the JRC.
2. The Board of Governors of the JRC (hereinafter referred to as the Board of Governors) shall be consulted by the Commission in this task, in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Commission decision concerning the organisation of the JRC.
3. The Commission shall regularly inform the Board of Governors of the implementation of this 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
In accordance with Article 5(4) of the fifth framework programme, the Commission shall regularly inform the Council and the European Parliament of the overall progress of the implementation of the programme.
Article 9
This Decision is addressed to the Member States.
Done at Brussels, 25 January 1999.