Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Community of an Exchange of Letters recording the common understanding on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems between the European Community and the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland

(presented by the Commission)

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

1. The Community participates, together with the US, Japan, Australia, Canada, Norway and Switzerland in RTD activities in the domain of IMS (Council Decision 97/378/EC of 27 January 1997, OJ L 161 of 18 June 1997, p.1). The common understanding of the principles of this co-operation is recorded in an Exchange of Letters and in the Terms of Reference (ToR) annexed to the exchange of letters (OJ L 161 of 18 June 1997, p. 2 - 20).

2. The Republic of Korea has applied to become a participant to IMS. Chapter IX of the IMS ToR makes provision for procedures for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has fulfilled these procedures, and the Republic of Korea has, in particular, complied with the ToR. On this basis, the International Steering Committee of IMS has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit the Republic of Korea to have representation on the International IMS Steering Committee.

3. In view of the foregoing, the Commission asks the Council to approve, after having consulted the European Parliament, the attached proposal for a Council Decision concluding an exchange of letters recording the accession of the Republic of Korea to IMS.

2000/0288 (CNS)

Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Community of an Exchange of Letters recording the common understanding on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems between the European Community and the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 170, in conjunction with Article 300 (2), first sentence, and the first subparagraph of Article 300 (3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission [1],

[1] OJ ..., ..., p. ...

Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament [2],

[2] OJ ..., ..., p. ...

Whereas:

(1) International co-operation in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems will strengthen the scientific and technological bases of the Community in industry and will contribute to the competitiveness of Community industry.

(2) An Exchange of Letters was concluded between the European Community and the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland [3] recording the common understanding to the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS) as set out in the attached IMS Terms of Reference.

[3] OJ L 161, 18.6.1997, p. 2-20.

(3) The IMS Terms of Reference make provisions in chapter IX. for the admission of new participants.

(4) The Republic of Korea has applied to become a member of IMS according to chapter IX of the IMS Terms of Reference.

(5) The Republic of Korea has complied with the IMS Terms of Reference and the contributions of the Republic of Korea in the framework of IMS have allowed to establish a positive profile of the region's participation and the International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999 that the Republic of Korea should have representation on the International IMS Steering Committee,

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The Exchange of Letters recording the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation in research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS) between the European Community and the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland is hereby approved.

The text of the Exchange of Letters is attached to this Decision.

Article 2

The President of the Council is hereby authorised to designate the person empowered to sign the Exchange of Letters referred to in Article 1 in order to bind the Community.

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 2000

For the Council

The President

EXCHANGE OF LETTERS

recording the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS) between the European Community and the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland

Letter from the Community

Brussels, .....2000.

Sir,

I refer to the exchange of letters concluded between the European Community, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, with date of effect of April 9, 1997, on the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS). The IMS Terms of Reference (ToR) make provision for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has applied in accordance with chapter IX of the IMS ToR to be admitted as a new participant. The International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit representation of the Republic of Korea on the International IMS Steering Committee.

The purpose of this letter is to record the common understanding reached on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of co-operation on IMS.

1. The Republic of Korea is admitted as a new participant.

2. The Republic of Korea will have representation in the International IMS Steering Committee.

I would be pleased to receive your early confirmation of this understanding.

On behalf of the European Community

Letter from Korea

Seoul, .... 2000

Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of ....2000 which reads as follows:

"Sir,

I refer to the exchange of letters concluded between the European Community, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, with date of effect of April 9, 1997, on the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS). The IMS Terms of Reference (ToR) make provision for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has applied in accordance with chapter IX of the IMS ToR to be admitted as a new participant. The International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit representation of the Republic of Korea on the International IMS Steering Committee.

The purpose of this letter is to record the common understanding reached on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of co-operation on IMS.

1. The Republic of Korea is admitted as a new participant.

2. The Republic of Korea will have representation in the International IMS Steering Committee.

I would be pleased to receive your early confirmation of this understanding.

On behalf of the European Community"

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

For the Government of the Republic of Korea

Letter from USA

Washington D.C., .... 2000

Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of ....2000 which reads as follows:

"Sir,

I refer to the exchange of letters concluded between the European Community, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, with date of effect of April 9, 1997, on the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS). The IMS Terms of Reference (ToR) make provision for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has applied in accordance with chapter IX of the IMS ToR to be admitted as a new participant. The International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit representation of the Republic of Korea on the International IMS Steering Committee.

The purpose of this letter is to record the common understanding reached on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of co-operation on IMS.

1. The Republic of Korea is admitted as a new participant.

2. The Republic of Korea will have representation in the International IMS Steering Committee.

I would be pleased to receive your early confirmation of this understanding.

On behalf of the European Community"

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

For the Government of the United States of America

Letter from Japan

Tokyo, .... 2000

Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of ....2000 which reads as follows:

"Sir,

I refer to the exchange of letters concluded between the European Community, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, with date of effect of April 9, 1997, on the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS). The IMS Terms of Reference (ToR) make provision for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has applied in accordance with chapter IX of the IMS ToR to be admitted as a new participant. The International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit representation of the Republic of Korea on the International IMS Steering Committee.

The purpose of this letter is to record the common understanding reached on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of co-operation on IMS.

1. The Republic of Korea is admitted as a new participant.

2. The Republic of Korea will have representation in the International IMS Steering Committee.

I would be pleased to receive your early confirmation of this understanding.

On behalf of the European Community"

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

For the Government of Japan

Letter from Australia

Canberra, .... 2000

Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of ....2000 which reads as follows:

"Sir,

I refer to the exchange of letters concluded between the European Community, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, with date of effect of April 9, 1997, on the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS). The IMS Terms of Reference (ToR) make provision for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has applied in accordance with chapter IX of the IMS ToR to be admitted as a new participant. The International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit representation of the Republic of Korea on the International IMS Steering Committee.

The purpose of this letter is to record the common understanding reached on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of co-operation on IMS.

1. The Republic of Korea is admitted as a new participant.

2. The Republic of Korea will have representation in the International IMS Steering Committee.

I would be pleased to receive your early confirmation of this understanding.

On behalf of the European Community"

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

For the Government of Australia

Letter from Canada

Ottowa, .... 2000

Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of ....2000 which reads as follows:

"Sir,

I refer to the exchange of letters concluded between the European Community, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, with date of effect of April 9, 1997, on the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS). The IMS Terms of Reference (ToR) make provision for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has applied in accordance with chapter IX of the IMS ToR to be admitted as a new participant. The International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit representation of the Republic of Korea on the International IMS Steering Committee.

The purpose of this letter is to record the common understanding reached on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of co-operation on IMS.

1. The Republic of Korea is admitted as a new participant.

2. The Republic of Korea will have representation in the International IMS Steering Committee.

I would be pleased to receive your early confirmation of this understanding.

On behalf of the European Community"

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

For the Government of Canada

Letter from Switzerland

Bern, .... 2000

Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of ....2000 which reads as follows:

"Sir,

I refer to the exchange of letters concluded between the European Community, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, with date of effect of April 9, 1997, on the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS). The IMS Terms of Reference (ToR) make provision for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has applied in accordance with chapter IX of the IMS ToR to be admitted as a new participant. The International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit representation of the Republic of Korea on the International IMS Steering Committee.

The purpose of this letter is to record the common understanding reached on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of co-operation on IMS.

1. The Republic of Korea is admitted as a new participant.

2. The Republic of Korea will have representation in the International IMS Steering Committee.

I would be pleased to receive your early confirmation of this understanding.

On behalf of the European Community"

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

For the Government of the Swiss Confederation

Letter from Norway

Oslo, .... 2000

Sir,

I acknowledge receipt of your letter of ....2000 which reads as follows:

"Sir,

I refer to the exchange of letters concluded between the European Community, the United States of America, Japan, Australia, Canada, and the EFTA countries of Norway and Switzerland, with date of effect of April 9, 1997, on the common understanding on the principles of international co-operation on research and development activities in the domain of intelligent manufacturing systems (IMS). The IMS Terms of Reference (ToR) make provision for the admission of new participants. The Republic of Korea has applied in accordance with chapter IX of the IMS ToR to be admitted as a new participant. The International IMS Steering Committee has recommended on November 12, 1999, to admit representation of the Republic of Korea on the International IMS Steering Committee.

The purpose of this letter is to record the common understanding reached on the accession of the Republic of Korea to the common understanding on the principles of co-operation on IMS.

1. The Republic of Korea is admitted as a new participant.

2. The Republic of Korea will have representation in the International IMS Steering Committee.

I would be pleased to receive your early confirmation of this understanding.

On behalf of the European Community"

I have the honour to confirm that my Government is in agreement with the contents of your letter.

For the Government of Norway