16. 6. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 148/25 
Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the 
European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation on a European stimulation plan for 
economic science (SPES) 
COM(90) 26 final — SYN 246 
(Submitted by the Commission on 18 May 1990) 
(90/C 148/05) 
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community, and in particular Article 130 Q 
thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, 
In cooperation with the European Parliament, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social 
Committee, 
Whereas by Decision 89/118/EEC (J), the Council adopted 
a European stimulation plan for economic science (1989 to 
1992); whereas Article 5 of this Decision authorizes the 
Commission to negotiate agreements with third countries 
and in particular with those European countries having 
concluded framework agreements for scientific and technical 
cooperation with the Community with a view to associate 
them wholly or partly with the programme; 
Whereas by Decision 87/177/EEC (2), the Council 
approved the conclusion on behalf of the European 
Economic Community of the Framework Agreement for scientific and technical cooperation between the European 
Communities and, among others, the Swiss 
Confederation; 
Whereas the Cooperation Agreement between the European 
Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation on a 
European stimulation plan for economic science should be 
approved, 
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
The Cooperation Agreement between the European 
Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation on a 
European stimulation plan for economic science, is hereby 
approved on behalf of the Community. 
The text of the Agreement is attached to this Decision. 
Article 2 
The President of the Council shall carry out the notification 
as provided for in Article 10 of the Agreement. 
(») OJ No L 44, 16. 2. 1989, p. 43. 
(2) OJ No L 71, 14. 3. 1987, p. 29. 
No C 148/26 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 6. 90 
COOPERATION AGREEMENT 
between the European Economic Community and the Swiss Confederation on a European 
stimulation plan for economic science (SPES) 
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, hereinafter called 'the Community', 
and 
THE SWISS CONFEDERATION, hereinafter called 'Switzerland', 
both hereinafter called the 'Contracting Parties', 
Whereas, by its Decision of 13 February 1989, the Council of the European Communities, hereinafter called 
'the Council', adopted a European stimulation plan for economic science (1989 to 1992) (SPES), hereinafter called 
'the SPES programme'; 
Whereas the Contracting Parties concluded a Framework Agreement for scientific and technical cooperation which 
entered into force on 17 July 1987; 
Whereas the association of Switzerland with the SPES programme can contribute to the overall strengthening of 
Europe's scientific potential; 
Whereas the Contracting Parties expect to obtain mutual benefit from Switzerland's association with the SPES 
programme, 
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 
Article 1 
Switzerland is hereby associated, as from 1 January 1989, 
with the implementation of the SPES programme as set out in 
Annex A. 
Article 2 
The financial contribution of Switzerland, deriving from its 
association with the implementation of the SPES programme 
shall be established in proportion to the amount available 
each year in the general budget of the European 
Communities for appropriations covering commitments to 
meet financial obligations of the Commission of the 
European Communities, hereinafter referred to as 'the 
Commission', resulting from work to be carried out in the 
framework of research contracts necessary to the 
implementation of the SPES programme and from 
management and administrative operating expenditure for 
the SPES programme. 
The proportionality factor governing Switzerland's 
contribution shall be given by the ratio between Switzerland's 
gross domestic product (GDP), at market prices, and the sum 
of gross domestic products, at market prices, of the Member 
States of the Community and of Switzerland. This ratio shall 
be calculated on the basis of the latest available OECD 
statistical data. 
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the 
SPES programme, the amount of Switzerland's contribution 
and the timetable of the commitment estimates are set out in 
Annex B. The rules governing Switzerland's financial contribution to 
the execution of the SPES programme are set out in Annex 
C. 
Article 3 
For Swiss research and development bodies and persons, the 
terms and conditions for the submission and evaluation of 
proposals and the terms and conditions for the granting and 
conclusion of contracts under the SPES programme shall be 
the same as those applicable to research and development 
bodies and persons in the Community. 
The contracts, drawn up by the Commission, shall show the 
rights and obligations of Swiss research and development 
bodies and persons, and in particular the methods of 
disseminating, protecting and exploiting the research 
results. 
Article 4 
During the third year of the SPES programme, the 
Commission shall address a report to the Council and to the 
European Parliament on the basis of an evaluation of the 
results so far achieved. This report shall be accompanied by 
suggestions for changes which may be necessary in the light 
of these results. A copy of that report shall be transmitted to 
Switzerland which, in addition shall be informed of any 
possible suggestions for changes. 
16. 6. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 148/27 
Article S 
Each Contracting Party undertakes, in accordance with its 
respective rules and regulations, to facilitate the movement 
and residence of research workers participating in 
Switzerland and in the Community in the activities covered 
by this Agreement. 
Article 6 
The Commission and the Swiss Federal Council shall ensure 
the implementation of this Agreement. 
Article 7 
This Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the 
territories in which the Treaty establishing the European 
Economic Community is applied and under the conditions 
laid down in that Treaty and, on the other hand, to the 
territory of the Swiss Confederation. 
Article 8 
1. This Agreement is concluded for the duration of the 
SPES programme. 
Should the Community revise the SPES programme, the 
Agreement may be denounced under mutually agreed 
conditions. Switzerland shall be notified of the exact content 
of the revised programme within one week after its adoption 
by the Community. The Contracting Parties shall notify each 
other within three months after the Community Decision has 
been adopted if a termination of the Agreement is 
envisaged. 
2. Where the Community adopts a new R&D 
programme in the field of economic science, this Agreement may be renegotiated or renewed under mutually 
agreed conditions. 
3. Subject to paragraph 1, either Contracting Party may 
at any time terminate the Agreement with six months' notice. 
The projects and work in progress at the time of termination 
and/or expiry of this Agreement shall be continued until they 
are completed under the conditions laid down in this 
Agreement. 
Article 9 
The Annexes A, B and C to this Agreement shall be an 
integral part thereof. 
Article 10 
This Agreement shall be approved by the Contracting Parties 
in accordance with their existing procedures. 
It shall enter into force on the date on which the Contracting 
Parties notify each other of the completion of the procedures 
necessary for this purpose. 
Article 11 
This Agreement shall be drawn up in duplicate in the Danish, 
Dutch, English, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese 
and Spanish languages, each of these texts being equally 
authentic. 
For the Council of the 
European Communities 
For the Swiss Confederation 
No C 148/28 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 6. 90 
ANNEX A 
OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE EUROPEAN PLAN TO STIMULATE ECONOMIC SCIENCE 
(1989 TO 1992) (SPES) 
1. The programme consists of a range of activities which have as their aim the establishment of a network of 
cooperation and interchange between economists of the highest professional quality at the Community 
level. 
The purpose of these activities is to: 
— stimulate the mobility of Community economists and cooperation on joint research projects or networks 
by researchers of the Community Member States, 
— improve training by encouraging doctoral students and researchers of the Community Member States to 
continue with their work in Community universities or research centres other than those of their country of 
origin, 
— encourage young economists to return to the Community if they have been working for some time in 
centres of excellence of non-Community countries, and 
— favour or support the exchange of knowledge and information between researchers in economic science of 
Community Member States. 
2. The programme shall be implemented by support for the following actions: 
— scholarships, research grants, grants for multinational networks or research projects, and 
— subsidies for high-level training courses, organized in collaboration with the scientific communities 
concerned, and facilitating the realization of surveys and studies as well as access to data banks. 
3. Consideration shall be given to applications for financial support made by individuals or institutions which 
satisfy each of the following criteria: 
(a) scientific excellence; 
(b) the multinational European aspects (transnational cooperation or activity outside the country of 
origin); 
(c) the European interest of the substance of the research either in terms of its general scientific value or its 
applied analytical content. 
Where scientific and technical quality is comparable, particular attention will be given to projects likely to 
reduce scientific and technical development disparities between Member States and thereby to contribute to 
economic and social cohesion within the European Communities. 
4. Topics of research are, inter alia: 
(i) the Community's internal market programme and issues of microeconomic analysis, including industrial 
organization and the economics of regulatory policies (e.g. standards); 
(ii) European integration economics, including issues of intra-European regional North-South relations; 
(iii) the determinants of economic growth in Western Europe, including dynamic factors, such as advanced 
technology and innovation, and constraints, such as environmental concerns; 
(iv) systematic issues in the monetary areas and macroeconomic and fiscal policy coordination; 
(v) problems of trade policy and the role of Western Europe in the international division of labour; 
(vi) employment, health and social policy issues, which have quite different characteristics in Western 
Europe, compared to the United States of America or Japan, and 
(vii) methodological and modelling problems relevant to the avovementioned subjects or otherwise of 
fundamental interest, the setting-up of statistical concepts and adequate technical, social and economic 
indicators, as well as more precise economic models. 
16. 6. 90 Official Journal of the European Communities No C 148/29 
ANNEX B 
FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 
Article 1 
The amount estimated as necessary to carry out the SPES programme shall be ECU 6 million. 
Article 2 
Switzerland's financial contribution for the execution of the SPES programme is estimated to be ECU 
230 400. 
Article 3 
The timetable of the commitment estimates and of Switzerland's financial contribution is given as follows: 
Timetable of the commitments estimated as necessary for the execution of the SPES programme (commitment 
appropriations) and of Switzerland's contribution 
(ECU) 
Year 
1989 
1990 
1991 
1992 
Grand total Commitments for 
Management 
administrative 
operation 
170 000 
260 000 
300 000 
320 000 
1 050 000 Contracts 
830 000 
1 740 000 
1 700 000 
680 000 
4 950 000 Total 
1 000 000 
2 000 000 
2 000 000 
1 000 000 
6 000 000 Switzerland's contribution 
Management 
administrative 
operation 
6 528 
9 984 
11 520 
12 288 
40 320 Contracts 
31 872 
66 816 
65 280 
26 112 
190 080 Total 
38 400 
76 800 
76 800 
38 400 
230 400 
ANNEX C 
FINANCING RULES 
Article 1 
These provisions lay down the financing rules for Switzerland referred to in Article 2 of the Agreement. 
Article 2 
At the beginning of each year, or whenever the SPES programme is revised so as to involve an increase in the 
amount estimated as necessary for its implementation, the Commission shall send to Switzerland a call for funds 
corresponding to its contribution to the costs under the Agreement. 
This contribution shall be expressed both in ecus and in the Swiss currency, the composition of the ecu being 
defined in Council Regulation (EEC) No 3180/78 (>). The value in Swiss currency of the contribution in ecus shall 
be determined on the date of the call for funds. 
(>) OJ No L 379, 30. 12. 1978, p. 1. 
No C 148/30 Official Journal of the European Communities 16. 6. 90 
Switzerland shall pay its contribution to the annual costs under the Agreement at the beginning of each year and at 
the latest three months after the call for funds is sent. Any delay in the payment of the contribution shall give rise to 
the payment of interest by Switzerland at a rate equal to the highest discount rate ruling in the Member States of the 
Community on the due date. The rate shall be increased by 0,25 of a percentage point for each month of 
delay. 
The increased rate shall be applied to the entire period of delay. However, this interest shall be payable only if the 
contribution is paid more than three months after a call for funds has been made by the Commission. 
Article 3 
The funds paid by Switzerland shall be credited to the SPES programme as budget receipts allocated to its 
appropriate heading in the statement of revenue of the general budget of the European Communities. 
Article 4 
The Financial Regulation in force applicable to the general budget of the European Communities shall apply to the 
management of the appropriations. 
Article 5 
At the end of each year, a statement of appropriations for the SPES programme shall be prepared and transmitted 
to Switzerland for information.