Resolution of the ECSC Consultative Committee

on the proposals for Council Decisions concerning the financial consequences of the expiry, in 2002, of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community, and especially on the proposed Coal and Steel Research Fund

(2001/C 7/02)

(adopted unanimously at the 353rd Session of 29 November 2000)

THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE OF THE EUROPEAN COAL AND STEEL COMMUNITY,

Refering to the resolution on growth and employment of the European Council of 16 June 1997(1),

Referring to the European Commission communication "Expiry of the ECSC Treaty - financial activities"(2),

Referring to the resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, on 20 July 1998(3) concerning the expiry of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community,

Referring to the resolution of the Council and of the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States, meeting within the Council, of 21 June 1999(4) concerning the expiry of the Treaty establishing the European Coal and Steel Community,

Recalling its resolution on the future of collaborative research in the coal and steel sectors adopted unanimously at the 336th session of 20 June 1997(5),

Recalling its resolution on the Research Fund decided on at the Amsterdam European Council of 16 June 1997, adopted unanimously at its 337th session of 10 October 1997(6),

Recalling its resolution on the implementation of the Council Resolutions of 20 July 1998 and 21 June 1999, adopted unanimously at its 351st session of 30 June 2000(7),

wishes to underline that the European Commission, in adopting the Draft Council Decisions concerning the financial consequences of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty(8), has taken into account essential requests put forward by the Consultative Committee, and in particular the following:

1. After the devolving of the remaining assets of the ECSC by the Member States to the European Community on 24 July 2002 - evaluated in budgetary forecasts at EUR 1600 million - the annual revenue from the assets shall be distributed following a ratio of 27,2 % to coal-related research and 72,8 % to steel-related research complementary to the framework programme.

2. The revenue shall be earmarked for a specific purpose and shall not lead to a reduction of financial support for coal and steel research under the EU framework programme.

3. New Member States may acquire a share of the research fund in order to ensure the future of their industries through intensive research cooperation. However, such participation is subject to a financial contribution by those countries to the fund, as has been the case for accessions in the past.

4. Administrative expenditure for the management of the research fund by the European Commission shall be met from the general budget of the EU.

5. The assets of the ECSC in liquidation shall be managed by the European Commission in such a manner as to achieve the highest possible yield that is compatible with security. The Commission shall meet the general request for a high level of transparency by publishing each year a profit and loss account, a balance sheet and a financial report.

6. As a continuation of the successful ECSC coal and steel research and technical development (RTD) programmes, a European RTD programme will be established as of 2002, which will provide the framework of continuous financial support for research, pilot and demonstration projects as well as cooperation with and between higher education establishments.

7. The RTD programme shall cover production processes, product treatment and properties, environmental improvements as well as industrial safety related to the coal and the steel industries.

8. The participation of the industries in the evaluation and selection of research projects, as well as the network of experts built up by the ECSC for the exchange of information and control of results of ongoing projects, should be maintained.

CONCLUSION

THE CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE explicitly welcomes the three Commission proposals for Council Decisions of 6 September 2000 concerning the financial aspects of the expiry of the ECSC Treaty,

At the same time, the Consultative Committee urges the European Commission to make a similar effort to provide proposals on the essential non-financial aspects (e.g. State aid rules for both sectors).

(1) OJ C 236, 2.8.1997, p. 3.

(2) COM(1997) 506 of 8.10.1997.

(3) OJ C 247, 7.8.1998, p. 5.

(4) OJ C 190, 7.7.1999, p. 1.

(5) OJ C 220, 19.7.1997, p. 12.

(6) OJ C 356, 22.11.1997, p. 6.

(7) OJ C 209, 21.7.2000, p. 2.

(8) COM(2000) 519 final, COM(2000) 520 final and COM(2000) 521 final.