[pic] | COMMISSIONE DELLE COMUNITÀ EUROPEE |

Bruxelles, 8.11.2006

COM(2006) 665 definitivo

2006/0227 (CNS)

Proposta di

DECISIONE DEL CONSIGLIO

relativa alla conclusione, a nome della Comunità europea, di un accordo quadro su un programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa e del protocollo sulle richieste di risarcimento, i procedimenti giudiziari e gli indennizzi relativi all’accordo quadro su un programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa

(presentata dalla Commissione)

RELAZIONE

Contesto storico: situazione nella Russia nordoccidentale

La regione della Russia nordoccidentale è minacciata dalla presenza di enormi quantità di combustibile nucleare esaurito e di scorie radioattive, le quali derivano sia da attività passate (rifiuti storici) che presenti. La principale fonte di rifiuti sono i sottomarini nucleari, a cui si aggiungono i rompighiaccio nucleari, lo stoccaggio di combustibile nucleare esaurito su basi tecniche galleggianti, i centri di ricerca nucleare civile e militare compresi gli impianti di ritrattamento e l’uso dei radionuclidi per la medicina, la ricerca e l’industria.

Due terzi di tutte le navi russe fanno parte della flotta nordica. Delle circa 253 navi militari a propulsione nucleare costruite nel periodo 1955-2001, 248 sono sottomarini e il resto navi di superficie. Delle circa 180 navi che sono state dismesse, oltre 110 appartengono alla flotta nordica. Le navi della flotta nordica dismesse contengono oltre 200 reattori nucleari (la maggior parte dei sottomarini hanno due reattori a bordo). Molte navi hanno ancora combustibile nucleare esaurito a bordo.

Il rifornimento e la manutenzione dei sottomarini erano, e sono tuttora, effettuati presso diverse basi navali situati presso baie lungo la costa di Murmansk e di Arcangelo. Anche se non sono più utilizzate, in molte di esse sono ancora presenti combustibile nucleare esaurito e scorie radioattive. Le due ex basi di manutenzione che contengono le maggiori quantità di combustibile nucleare esaurito e di scorie radioattive sono la baia di Andreeva e, in misura minore, la baia di Gremikha.

Nessuna di queste basi navali dispone di strutture adeguate per il trattamento e lo stoccaggio del combustibile nucleare esaurito e delle scorie radioattive in loco e in molte di esse vi sono grandi quantità di materiale radioattivo. I depositi esistenti sono spesso pieno e in alcuni di essi si riscontrano già fuoriuscite di materiale radioattivo nell’ambiente. Dal momento che le basi sono situate lungo la costa, vi un notevole rischio di contaminazione del mare.

I rompighiaccio nella Russia nordoccidentale sono gestiti dalla Murmansk Shipping Company (MSCO), che si occupa anche del rifornimento e della manutenzione. Il combustibile nucleare esaurito è inviato a Mayak per il ritrattamento e le scorie radioattive sono stoccate dalla MSCO.

La nave di manutenzione Lepse – una base tecnica galleggiante con a bordo combustibile nucleare esaurito gravemente danneggiato proveniente dal rompighiaccio dismesso Lenin – è ancorata al porto di Murmansk. Il settore industriale aveva iniziato un progetto di ripulitura che però è stato interrotto, soprattutto per mancanza di fondi. La Lepse è di proprietà della MSCO. E’ stata costruita nel 1936, è affondata durante la Seconda guerra mondiale e in seguito è stata rimessa a galla per essere utilizzata come deposito di combustibile nucleare esaurito proveniente dai rompighiaccio fino al 1981. La Lepse è stata anche utilizzata per trasportare scorie radioattive da Atomflot verso la parte orientale di Novaya Zemlya, dove le scorie venivano scaricate nell’oceano. La Lepse contiene circa 640 elementi di combustibile esauriti trasferiti dai reattori sulla rompighiaccio a propulsione nucleare Lenin, che ha subito un incidente nel 1966. Attualmente, le radiazioni provenienti dalla zona di stoccaggio della Lepse sono di molto superiori agli standard accettabili.

Reazioni della comunità internazionale: l’accordo quadro MNEPR

Considerata la gravità del problema, alla metà degli anni ’90 è apparsa chiaramente la necessità di intraprendere un’azione bilaterale e multilaterale concertata a livello internazionale la quale avrebbe dovuto concentrarsi sui più gravi problemi di sicurezza nucleare, in particolare nei settori del trattamento e dello stoccaggio delle scorie radioattive e del combustibile nucleare esaurito. Nel 1996 è stato istituito, sotto l’egida dell’AIEA, un gruppo di contatto composto di esperti per coordinare gli aiuti internazionali concessi alla Russia nel settore della gestione delle scorie radioattive. Il suo principale obiettivo era individuare i settori in cui i finanziamenti internazionali avrebbero aiutato a ridurre i rischi radiologici derivanti da uno smaltimento inadeguato del combustibile nucleare esaurito e delle scorie radioattive nella Russia nordoccidentale. La Commissione e alcuni Stati membri hanno partecipato ai lavori del gruppo di contatto sin dalla sua creazione.

Donatori bilaterali hanno iniziato ad aiutare la Federazione russa a valutare la situazione e ad affrontare il problema attraverso diversi accordi quadro bilaterali e multilaterali. La Commissione ha sostenuto una serie di progetti, diverse analisi di fattibilità per le basi navali di Gremikha e di Andreeva nonché un progetto preliminare sulla Lepse , ma a livello internazionale si è diffusa la consapevolezza che solo uno sforzo più consistente e comune avrebbe potuto risolvere i problemi in modo soddisfacente.

Pertanto, il 5 marzo 1999 i partecipanti (Russia compresa) al Consiglio euroartico di Barents (BEAC) svoltosi a Bodø (Norvegia) hanno firmato una dichiarazione nella quale esprimevano la loro intenzione di promuovere e ampliare la cooperazione in materia di sicurezza della gestione del combustibile nucleare esaurito e delle scorie radioattive. Hanno quindi varato il “programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa” (MNEPR), esortando la rapida conclusione di un accordo quadro riguardo allo stesso MNEPR, al fine di superare gli ostacoli all’attuazione dei progetti. L’accordo quadro prevedeva un protocollo aggiuntivo sulle richieste di risarcimento, i procedimenti giudiziari e gli indennizzi. La Commissione ha svolto un ruolo attivo nell’ambito dei negoziati per il MNEPR e ha ricevuto un mandato negoziale dal Consiglio nell’aprile 2000.

I negoziati per la conclusione dell’accordo quadro sono durati dal 2000 al 2003. Il testo definitivo dell’accordo quadro è stato firmato a Stoccolma nel maggio 2003 dalla Comunità europea, dalla Comunità europea dell’energia atomica, da Belgio, Danimarca, Finlandia, Francia, Germania, Paesi Bassi, Norvegia, Federazione russa, Svezia e Regno Unito. Gli Stati Uniti hanno firmato l’accordo quadro, ma non il protocollo. Il testo originale è stato depositato presso l’agenzia per l’energia nucleare dell’OCSE a Parigi e il ministero per gli Affari esteri della Federazione russa.

Sebbene l’accordo quadro sul MNEPR abbia potuto essere applicato in via provvisoria sin dalla data della firma, esso è soggetto alla ratifica, accettazione o approvazione delle sue Parti contraenti, come indicato all'articolo 18 “Entrata in vigore, durata, recesso e denuncia”. Tutti gli Stati membri che hanno firmato l’accordo quadro hanno depositato gli strumenti di ratifica presso i depositari, l’ultimo dei quali è stato il Regno Unito, che ha ratificato l’accordo quadro nell’aprile 2006. La Comunità europea è in grado di concludere l’accordo quadro MNEPR.

Conclusione

1) La Commissione invita il Consiglio ad adottare l’allegata proposta di decisione relativa alla conclusione di un accordo quadro su un programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa e del relativo protocollo sulle richieste di risarcimento, i procedimenti giudiziari e gli indennizzi.

2) La Commissione informa il Consiglio della conclusione, a nome della Comunità europea dell’energia atomica, di un accordo quadro su un programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa e del relativo protocollo sulle richieste di risarcimento, i procedimenti giudiziari e gli indennizzi.

2006/0227 (CNS)

Proposta di

DECISION E DEL CONSIGLIO

relativa alla conclusione, a nome della Comunità europea, di un accordo quadro su un programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa e del protocollo sulle richieste di risarcimento, i procedimenti giudiziari e gli indennizzi relativi all’accordo quadro su un programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa

IL CONSIGLIO DELL' UNIONE EUROPEA ,

visto il trattato che istituisce la Comunità europea, in particolare l'articolo 181 A, paragrafo 3, in combinato disposto con l’articolo 300, paragrafo 2, prima frase,

vista la proposta della Commissione[1],

visto il parere del Parlamento europeo[2],

considerando quanto segue:

(1) Il 21 maggio 2003 sono stati firmati a Stoccolma l’accordo quadro su un programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa (MNEPR) e il relativo protocollo sulle richieste di risarcimento, i procedimenti giudiziari e gli indennizzi.

(2) L’accordo quadro è stato firmato dalla Comunità europea, dalla Comunità europea dell’energia atomica, da Norvegia, Svezia, Danimarca, Finlandia, Belgio, Francia, Germania, Regno Unito, Paesi Bassi e Russia.

(3) L’accordo quadro MNEPR stabilisce un quadro giuridico multilaterale per progetti legati al nucleare attuati da paesi occidentali nella Russia nordoccidentale e il protocollo sulle richieste di risarcimento, i procedimenti giudiziari e gli indennizzi mira a risolvere le questioni di responsabilità derivanti dalle attività svolte in questo ambito.

(4) Il MNEPR intende facilitare i progetti destinati a risolvere i problemi derivanti dalle scorie radioattive e dal combustibile nucleare esaurito, nonché dalla dismissione dei sottomarini nucleari e delle navi rompighiaccio nella Federazione russa. L’accordo quadro si concentra inizialmente sulla regione nordoccidentale ma sottolinea che, previo accordo delle Parti contraenti interessate, il MNEPR può applicarsi anche a progetti o a qualsiasi altra forma di collaborazione negli altri settori delle attività nucleari, compresa la sicurezza nucleare.

(5) L'attuale memorandum d’intesa bilaterale, firmato nel 1995 dalla Commissione europea, a nome delle Comunità, e dalla Federazione russa, che disciplina l’attuazione dei programmi di assistenza tecnica nel settore della sicurezza nucleare e che tratta delle questioni di responsabilità nucleare, non si applica ai progetti previsti nell’ambito del nuovo strumento di cooperazione per la sicurezza nucleare.

(6) Tutti gli Stati membri dell’UE che hanno firmato l’accordo quadro hanno depositato gli strumenti di ratifica presso i depositari, l’ultimo dei quali è stato il Regno Unito che ha ratificato l’accordo quadro nell’aprile 2006.

(7) La Comunità europea è in grado di concludere l’accordo quadro MNEPR,

HA ADOTTATO LA PRESENTE DECISIONE:

Articolo 1

1. L’accordo quadro su un programma ambientale multilaterale per il nucleare nella Federazione russa e il relativo protocollo sulle richieste di risarcimento, i procedimenti giudiziari e gli indennizzi sono conclusi a nome della Comunità europea.

2. Il testo dell’accordo quadro e il protocollo aggiuntivo sono allegati alla presente decisione.

Artic olo 2

Il presidente del Consiglio è autorizzato a designare la/e persona/e incaricate di depositare lo strumento di conclusione presso il Segretariato generale dell’Organizzazione per la cooperazione e lo sviluppo economici, in conformità degli articoli 17 e 18 dell’accordo MNEPR.

Articolo 3

La presente decisione è pubblicata nella Gazzetta ufficiale dell’Unione europea .

Gli Stati membri sono destinatari della presente decisione.

Fatto a Bruxelles,

Per il Consiglio

Il Presidente

ANNEX

FRAMEWORK AGREEMENT

ON A MULTILATERAL NUCLEAR ENVIRONMENTAL PROGRAMME

IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION

The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Government of the Republic of Finland, the Government of the French Republic, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Government of the Kingdom of Norway, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of the United States of America, the European Community, and the European Atomic Energy Community (hereinafter referred to as the Parties),

Noting the Joint Convention on the Safety of Spent Fuel Management and on the Safety of Radioactive Waste Management of 5 September 1997 (hereinafter referred to as the “Joint Convention”);

Noting that the Joint Convention stipulates that spent fuel and radioactive waste within military or defence programmes should be managed in accordance with the objectives stated in that Convention even though they are excluded from it except as provided in Article 3 thereof;

Noting also the Convention on Nuclear Safety of 17 June 1994;

Recalling the importance the Joint Convention attaches to international co-operation in enhancing the safety of spent fuel and radioactive waste management through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms;

Reaffirming the importance the Parties attach to the principles embodied in relevant international conventions on nuclear liability for the provision of international assistance in this field;

Recognising the work of the Contact Expert Group for International Radwaste Projects established under the auspices of the International Atomic Energy Agency to deal with issues regarding international co-operation in radioactive waste management and related issues in the Russian Federation, and its contribution to the development of a comprehensive International Action Plan;

Desiring to facilitate practical co-operation to enhance the safety of spent fuel and radioactive waste management in the Russian Federation, in particular through the implementation of projects in the Russian Federation that may be identified by the Contact Expert Group for International Radwaste Projects;

Recalling the Declaration of Principles by members and observers of the Barents Euro-Arctic Council representing Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, the Russian Federation Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States regarding the Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme in the Russian Federation signed at Bodø (Norway) on 5 March 1999 in which the participants declared their readiness to negotiate a multilateral Framework Agreement covering the necessary conditions for the provision of international assistance in this field;

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme in the Russian Federation (MNEPR)

1. The Parties hereby establish a framework to facilitate co-operation in the area of safety of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste management in the Russian Federation. This framework shall be referred to as the “Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme in the Russian Federation” (MNEPR). The MNEPR shall apply to projects undertaken between Contributors and Recipients or any other form of co-operation agreed by them. It may also apply to projects or any other form of co-operation in other areas of nuclear activities, including nuclear safety, if so agreed by the Parties concerned.

2. The Parties shall seek to avoid duplication of Assistance activities and to ensure that such activities are complementary to activities under other multilateral or bilateral funds, agreements, mechanisms or arrangements.

Article 2

Definitions

For the purposes of this Agreement the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Technical aid (assistance): Any form of gratuitous aid and/or contribution provided under this Agreement or under any Implementing Agreement, or otherwise agreed to by the Russian Party and the Contributing Party or Parties (hereinafter referred to as “Assistance”).

Contributor: Any Party other than the Russian Party or any entity authorized by such Party to provide Assistance under the MNEPR.

Recipient: The Russian Party or any other Russian entity authorized by the Russian Party to serve as beneficiary of Assistance and partner for the realization of a project under the MNEPR.

Implementing Agreement: An agreement between one or more Recipients and one or moreContributors for the provision of Assistance for the realization of a project under the MNEPR.

Article 3

Modes of co-operation under the MNEPR

1. Assistance under the MNEPR may be provided through:

(a) Implementing Agreements between one or more Recipients and any one of the Contributors (Bilateral mode);

(b) Implementing Agreements between one or more Recipients and several Contributors whereby a common financing arrangement will not be established (Multilateral simple mode);

(c) Implementing Agreements between one or more Recipients and several Contributors whereby a common financing arrangement will be established (Multilateral funding mode); or

(d) any other mechanism agreed by the Recipient(s) and Contributor(s) concerned.

2. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement, the terms and conditions of this Agreement shall apply to all Assistance provided under paragraph 1 of this Article. The provisions of this Agreement may also apply to activities undertaken before its entry into force if so agreed by the Parties involved in those activities.

3. The provision of Assistance by the Contributors under this Agreement shall be subject to the availability of appropriated funds.

Article 4

MNEPR Committee

1. To facilitate co-operation and to exchange information under the MNEPR, the Parties hereby establish the MNEPR Committee. The MNEPR Committee shall be composed of one authorized official/governmental representative of each of the Parties, who shall also serve as a contact point for all questions of relevance to the MNEPR.

2. The MNEPR Committee may:

- discuss the development and implementation of projects and any other form of co-operation under this Agreement;

- discuss relevant activities under other bilateral or multilateral agreements or arrangements;

- co-ordinate funding for projects under Article 3.1 (c);

- identify obstacles and problems encountered in the implementation of projects, and make recommendations regarding their resolution;

- establish working groups as required for the functioning of the MNEPR Committee;

- discuss and make recommendations on other matters relevant to the operation of MNEPR activities;and

- invite States, intergovernmental organisations or regional economic integration organisations being subject to public international law to accede in accordance with Article 16.

3. The MNEPR Committee shall adopt its Rules of Procedure.

4. The MNEPR Committee shall elect two co-chairpersons for twelve-month periods from among representatives of the Parties, one from among the Contributing Parties and one representing the Russian Party.

5. The MNEPR Committee may decide to admit as Observers any interested State, inter-governmental organisation or regional economic integration organisation being subject to public international law not party to this Agreement. Where a Co-ordinator has been designated according to Article 5, that Co-ordinator shall be admitted as an Observer to meetings of the MNEPR Committee, where relevant.

6. Decisions and recommendations of the MNEPR Committee shall be made by consensus.

Article 5

Co-ordinator of multilateral funding under the MNEPR

1. The Contributing Parties to a common financing arrangement, as referred to in Article 3.1(c), may designate a Co-ordinator for such an arrangement.

2. The rights and obligations of the Contributing Parties under this Agreement apply equally to the Coordinator where the Co-ordinator performs activities on behalf of the Contributors.

Article 6

Specific undertakings

1. The Parties shall promote activities necessary for the implementation of projects under the MNEPR.

2. The Russian Party shall ensure the prompt issuance of, inter alia, licences, permits, approvals and the prompt customs clearances necessary for the efficient implementation of projects. The Russian Party shall ensure the provision of data and information necessary for the implementation of specific projects within the framework of this Agreement. The Russian Party shall grant access to sites and facilities necessary for the implementation of specific projects within the framework of this Agreement. Should such access be restricted according to the provisions of the legislation of the Russian Federation, mutually acceptable procedures shall be developed in the Implementing Agreements. The Implementing Agreements shall also define the procedures for, and the scope of, the information to be transferred.

3. The provision of Assistance shall be complemented by Russian resources. Such resources may be contributed in-kind or otherwise for the implementation of projects under the MNEPR.

Article 7

Claims, legal proceedings and indemnification

1. This Agreement is supplemented by a Protocol containing provisions on claims, legal proceedings and indemnification in respect of claims against Contributors and their personnel or contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers or subsuppliers of equipment, goods and services at any tier and their personnel, for any loss or damage of whatsoever nature arising from activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.

2. The Protocol and its Annex shall not apply to any Party that does not become a party to the Protocol.

3. Any Party that does not become a party to the Protocol may conclude with the Russian Party a separate agreement covering claims, legal proceedings and indemnification in respect of claims for any loss or damage of whatsoever nature arising from activities undertaken pursuant to this Agreement.

Article 8

Use and retransfer of Assistance

1. Unless the written consent of the Contributor has first been obtained, the Recipient shall not transfer title to, or possession of, any Assistance provided pursuant to this Agreement to any entity, other than an officer, employee or agent of that Contributor or that Recipient and shall not permit the use of such Assistance for purposes other than those for which it has been furnished.

2. The Russian Party shall take all reasonable measures within its power to ensure the security of, ensure the appropriate use of, and prevent the unauthorized transfer of Assistance provided pursuant to this Agreement.

Article 9

Exemption from taxes or similar charges

1. The Russian Party shall exempt Assistance provided under this Agreement from customs duties, profits taxes, other taxes and similar charges. The Russian Party shall take all necessary steps to ensure that no local or regional taxes are levied on Assistance provided under this Agreement. These steps will include the provision of letters from competent local and/or regional authorities confirming that no taxes will be levied on Assistance provided under this Agreement. Such letters of confirmation covering localities and regions where projects under this Agreement will be carried out shall be deposited with at least one of the Depositaries before the start of implementation of the projects.

2. The Russian Party shall exempt remuneration to foreign natural persons and to Russian citizens not ordinarily resident in the Russian Federation for work undertaken and services performed by such persons for the implementation of Assistance under this Agreement from income tax, social security tax contributions, and similar charges within the territory of the Russian Federation. With regard to remuneration exempted by this paragraph, the Russian Party shall not have any obligations in terms of any charges and payments to the persons indicated in this paragraph, at the expense of the social security system or any other government funds.

3. The Contributing Parties and their personnel, their contractors, subcontractors, suppliers and subsuppliers may import into, and export out of, the Russian Federation equipment, supplies, materials or services required to implement this Agreement. In addition to the provisions regarding Assistance, temporary importation and exportation shall not be subject to customs duties, license fees, undue restrictions, taxes or similar charges.

4. In addition to the preceding paragraphs, persons and entities participating in the implementation of the programmes in the framework of this Agreement within the territory of the Russian Federation are entitled to exemption from value added tax and other charges with regard to equipment and goods purchased within the territory of the Russian Federation for the implementation of the projects or the programmes in the framework of this Agreement, as well as works done and services rendered within the territory of the Russian Federation.

5. Imposition of taxation shall be regarded as a valid reason for suspension or termination of an Assistance project, or not to initiate an Assistance project.

6. The Russian Party shall be responsible for procedures ensuring the implementation of this Article. Necessary certificates shall be issued by the relevant competent authority.

Article 10

Accounts, audits and examinations

1. Each Recipient shall maintain proper accounts of all Assistance funding received from Contributors, and furnish such accounts, together with full supporting documentation, to the Contributor or Contributors concerned at regular intervals, as specified in the relevant Implementing Agreement or as otherwise agreed.

2. Upon request, representatives of a Contributor shall have the right, within sixty days of making the request, to examine the use of any Assistance provided by that Contributor in accordance with this Agreement, at sites of their location or use if possible, and shall have the right to audit and examine any and all related records or documentation for a period of seven years after the completion or early termination of the project in question, unless another period is specified in the Implementing Agreement. The practical details of such audits and examinations shall be set out in the Implementing Agreements.

Article 11

Intellectual property

The Parties shall provide in Implementing Agreements, as appropriate, effective protection and allocation of rights to intellectual property transmitted or created under this Agreement.

Article 12

Status of personnel and entry and exit of personnel

1. The Russian Party shall facilitate the entry and exit of employees of the Contributing Parties to this Agreement and their personnel and contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers and subsuppliers and their personnel into and out of the territory of the Russian Federation for the purpose of carrying out activities in accordance with this Agreement.

2. The Russian Party shall accredit military and civilian personnel of the Contributing Parties, including employees of the Commission of the European Communities present in the territory of the Russian Federation in order to carry out activities related to the provision of Assistance under this Agreement, as administrative and technical personnel of the respective diplomatic missions, the mission of the Commission of the European Communities and the missions of intergovernmental organisations, in the Russian Federation. After entry into force of this Agreement, the Parties will consult on the number of such personnel covered by this paragraph. The accreditation of such personnel shall have no effect on the number of accredited personnel permitted at Russian diplomatic missions in the Contributing Parties.

3. The Russian Party guarantees that the contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, subsuppliers and their personnel as referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article may import and re-export out of the territory of the Russian Federation all of their personal household effects as well as foodstuffs for their personal use without being liable to any customs duties, taxes, or similar charges. Duty-free import into and re-export out of the Russian Federation of one motor vehicle per family is allowed, provided that the vehicle is used only within the period of the relevant contract and is re-exported at the end of this period.

Article 13

Settlement of disputes

Any disagreement between two or more Parties concerning the interpretation of this Agreement, or its implementation, shall be resolved through consultations. Consultations shall take place not later than three months after one of the Parties submits such a request in writing to the other Party or Parties.

Article 14

Awarding of contracts

In the event that a Party awards a contract for the acquisition of goods and services, including construction, to implement this Agreement, such contracts shall be awarded in accordance with the laws and regulations of that Party, or such other laws and regulations as that Party may choose. Russian companies can also be used as contractors or subcontractors.

Article 15

Modifications and amendments

1. Any modification or amendment to this Agreement, and any additional protocol to it, may be made by agreement among the Parties to this Agreement.

2. Any modification or amendment made pursuant to this Article shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by all of the Parties. Modifications or amendments shall enter into force for all Parties thirty days following the date of receipt by at least one of the Depositaries of the last notification of ratification, acceptance or approval.

Article 16

Accession

1. This Agreement shall be open for accession by any State, inter-governmental organisation or regional economic integration organisation being subject to public international law upon invitation by the MNEPR Committee.

2. This Agreement shall enter into force for the acceding Party thirty days following the date of receipt by at least one of the Depositaries of the acceding Party’s instrument of accession and the last of the notifications by the Parties expressing concurrence.

Article 17

Depositaries

The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and the Secretary General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development are hereby designated as Depositaries. The Depositaries shall fulfil their duties in accordance with Article 77 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 23 May 1969 and shall consult each other in the fulfilment of their duties.

Article 18

Entry into force, duration, withdrawal and termination

1. This Agreement shall be subject to ratification, acceptance or approval. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with at least one of the Depositaries. It shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of receipt of such instruments from the Russian Party and from one other Signatory, and shall remain in force for a period of five years from that date. For each Signatory depositing such an instrument thereafter, this Agreement shall enter into force for it thirty days following the receipt by at least one of the Depositaries of such instrument and shall remain in force until the expiration of its original five year period.

2. This Agreement shall be extended automatically for further periods of five years. Any Party may request at least one of the Depositaries at least ninety days before the expiration of the five year period to convene a meeting of the Parties to consider the termination, modification or amendment of this Agreement

3. Any Party may withdraw from this Agreement upon giving ninety days written notification to at least one of the Depositaries. The MNEPR Committee shall immediately be seized of the matter and shall make recommendations to the Parties on the further continuation of the Agreement.

4. The obligations under Articles 8 to 11, Article 12 first and third paragraphs, and Article 13 of this Agreement shall remain in effect regardless of any subsequent transfer of ownership of the object of co-operation, and regardless of any termination of, or withdrawal from, this Agreement, or the expiration of its validity.

5 Notwithstanding any termination of this Agreement, it shall continue to apply to any Implementing Agreement which the parties to such Implementing Agreement agree to continue, for the duration of such Implementing Agreement.

6. Where a Party withdraws from this Agreement but continues to be a Party to an Implementing Agreement, this Agreement shall continue to apply to such Party with respect to its participation in such Implementing Agreement.

7. This Agreement shall be applied on a provisional basis from the date of its signature.

Done at Stockholm on 21 May 2003 in the English, French and Russian languages, all texts being equally authentic, in two originals of which one shall be deposited in the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and one in the archives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Duly certified copies of this Agreement shall be transmitted to the Signatories and acceding Parties. In the event of any dispute or divergence in relation to this Agreement the English text shall prevail for the purposes of interpretation.

PROTOCOL ON CLAIMS, LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

AND INDEMNIFICATION

To the

Framework Agreement

On a Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme

in the Russian Federation

The Government of the Kingdom of Belgium, the Government of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Government of the Republic of Finland, the Government of the French Republic, the Government of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Government of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, the Government of the Kingdom of Norway, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the European Community, and the European Atomic Energy Community (hereinafter referred to as the Parties),

Reaffirming their commitment to achieving the purposes of the Framework Agreement on a Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme in the Russian Federation signed on 21 May 2003 (hereinafter referred to as “the Agreement”);

Convinced of the need to establish provisions ensuring that claims against the Contributing Parties and their personnel or contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers or subsuppliers of equipment, goods or services at any tier and their personnel, for any loss or damage of whatsoever nature arising from activities undertaken pursuant to the Agreement are not brought by the Russian Party and, if brought by a third party, are indemnified by the Russian Party;

Have agreed as follows:

Article 1

1. The definitions contained in Article 2 of the Agreement shall apply to this Protocol as fully and effectively as if they were set forth in full herein.

2. For the purposes of this Protocol, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

Nuclear Incident: Any occurrence or series of occurrences having the same origin which causes Nuclear Damage.

Nuclear Damage: (i) loss of life, any personal injury or any loss of, or damage to, property which arises out of or results from the radioactive properties or a combination of radioactive properties with toxic, explosive or other hazardous properties of nuclear fuel or radioactive products or waste in, or of nuclear material coming from, originating in, or sent to, a nuclear installation;(ii) any other loss or damage so arising or resulting if and to the extent that the law of the competent court so provides; and(iii) if the law of the State in which the nuclear installation of the liable operator is situated so provides, loss of life, any personal injury or any loss of, or damage to, property which arises out of or results from other ionising radiation emitted by any other source of radiation inside a nuclear installation.

3. For the purposes of this Protocol, whenever both Nuclear Damage and damage other than Nuclear Damage have been caused by a Nuclear Incident, or jointly by a Nuclear Incident and one or more other occurrences, such other damage shall, to the extent that it is not reasonably separable from the Nuclear Damage, be deemed, for the purposes of this Protocol, to be Nuclear Damage caused by that Nuclear Incident.

Article 2

1. With the exception of claims for injury or damage against individuals arising from omissions or acts of such individuals done with intent to cause injury or damage, the Russian Party shall bring no claims or legal proceedings of any kind against the Contributors and their personnel or contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers or subsuppliers of equipment, goods or services at any tier and their personnel, for any loss or damage of whatsoever nature, including but not limited to personal injury, loss of life, direct, indirect and consequential damage to property owned by the Russian Federation arising from activities undertaken pursuant to the Agreement. This paragraph shall not apply to the enforcement of the express provisions of a contract.

2. With the exception of claims for Nuclear Damage against individuals arising from omissions or acts of such individuals done with intent to cause damage, the Russian Party shall provide for the adequate legal defence of and indemnify, and shall bring no claims or legal proceedings against the Contributors and their personnel, or any contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, or subsuppliers of equipment, goods or services at any tier and their personnel in connection with third-party claims, in any court or forum, arising from activities undertaken pursuant to the Agreement, for Nuclear Damage occurring within or outside the territory of the Russian Federation, that results from a Nuclear Incident occurring within the territory of the Russian Federation.

3. Upon request by a Party, the Russian Party or its authorized representative shall issue an indemnity confirmation letter to any contractor, subcontractor, consultant, supplier or subsupplier confirming the provisions of this Protocol. A standard form of such Indemnity Confirmation Letter is enclosed as an integral part of this Protocol.

4. The Parties may consult as appropriate, on claims and proceedings under this Article.

5. Any payments related to the indemnification in paragraph 2 of this Article shall be made promptly and shall be freely transferable to the beneficiary in its national currency.

6. Contributors, contractors, subcontractors, consultants, suppliers or subsuppliers of equipment, goods or services at any tier and their personnel may refer any dispute concerning the implementation of obligations under this Article to arbitration in accordance with UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules, if such dispute has not been resolved amicably within ninety days of its submission to the Russian Party. Any arbitration award shall be final and binding on the parties to the dispute.

7. Nothing in this Article shall be construed as acknowledging the jurisdiction of any court or forum outside the Russian Federation over third-party claims to which paragraph 2 of this Article applies, except as provided for in paragraph 6 of this Article and in any other case where the Russian Federation has pledged itself to acknowledge and execute a legal decision on the basis of provisions of international agreements.

8. Nothing in this Article shall be construed as waiving the immunity of the Parties with respect to potential third-party claims that may be brought against any of them.

Article 3

1. This Protocol is open for signature by any Signatory to the Agreement.

2. This Protocol is subject to ratification, acceptance or approval by Signatories that are Parties to the Agreement. Instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval shall be deposited with at least one of the Depositaries of the Agreement.

3. This Protocol shall be open to accession by any Party that has acceded to the Agreement.

4. Accession shall be effected by the deposit of an instrument of accession with at least one of the Depositaries of the Agreement.

5. The Depositaries of this Protocol shall be the Depositaries of the Agreement and shall fulfil their duties in accordance with Article 77 of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties of 23 May 1969 and shall consult each other in the fulfilment of their duties.

Article 4

1. Subject to the entry into force of the Agreement, this Protocol shall enter into force on the thirtieth day following the date of receipt by at least one of the Depositaries of the instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval referred to in Article 3.2 from the Russian Federation and from any other Signatory to this Protocol and it shall remain in force for a period of five years from that date. For each Signatory ratifying, accepting or approving thereafter, this Protocol shall enter into force for it on the thirtieth day following the receipt by at least one of the Depositaries of the instruments of ratification, acceptance or approval referred to in Article 3.2 and it shall remain in force until the expiration of its original five year period.

2. For each Party acceding to this Protocol, it shall enter into force for it thirty days following the receipt by at least one of the Depositaries of the instrument of accession referred to in Article 3.4 and it shall remain in force until the expiration of the original five year period mentioned in paragraph 1 of this Article.

3. This Protocol shall be extended automatically for further periods of five years. Any Party may request at least one of the Depositaries, at least ninety days before the expiration of the five year period, to convene a meeting of the Parties to consider the continuation, modification or amendment of this Protocol.

4. Any Party may withdraw from this Protocol upon giving ninety days written notification to at least one of the Depositaries. The MNEPR Committee shall immediately be seized of the matter and shall make recommendations to the Parties on the further continuation of this Protocol and the Agreement.

5. The obligations under this Protocol shall remain in effect regardless of any subsequent transfer of ownership of the object of co-operation, and regardless of any termination of, or withdrawal from, this Protocol or the Agreement, or the expiration of their validity.

6. (a) Notwithstanding any termination of this Protocol, it shall continue to apply to any Implementing Agreement which the Parties to such Implementing Agreement agree to continue, for the duration of such Implementing Agreement.

(b) Where a Party withdraws from this Protocol but continues to be a Party to an Implementing Agreement, this Protocol shall continue to apply to such Party with respect to its participation in such Implementing Agreement.

7. Where,

(a) the Vienna Convention on Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage of 21 May 1963 (hereinafter referred to as “the Vienna Convention”) and the Joint Protocol relating to the Application of the Vienna Convention and the Paris Convention of 21 September 1988 (hereinafter referred to as “the Joint Protocol”) have both come into force for the Russian Federation, and

(b) the Vienna Convention or the Paris Convention on Third Party Liability in the Field of Nuclear Energy of 29 July 1960 and the Joint Protocol have both come into force for any other Party to this Protocol, such other Party may, in its discretion and by notice in writing to the Russian Federation, terminate the application of Article 2.2 of this Protocol as between it and the Russian Federation with respect to any activity undertaken pursuant to the Agreement to which these instruments apply. The Russian Federation and such other Party shall each inform the other in writing of the dates upon which such instruments come into force in their respective territories.

8. This Protocol shall be applied on a provisional basis from the date of its signature.

Done at Stockholm on 21 May 2003 in the English, French and Russian languages, all texts being equally authentic, in two originals of which one shall be deposited in the archives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation and one in the archives of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Duly certified copies of this Protocol shall be transmitted to the Signatories and acceding Parties. In the event of any dispute or divergence in relation to this Protocol the English text shall prevail for the purposes of interpretation.

Annex

Model of an INDEMNITY CONFIRMATION LETTER

to be provided by The Ministry of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy

to [Contractor][3]

Dear Sirs,

The Government of the Russian Federation and [name of other Party] are Parties to the Framework Agreement on a Multilateral Nuclear Environmental Programme in the Russian Federation (hereinafter referred to as “the MNEPR Agreement”) of 21 May 2003 to facilitate co-operation in the area of safety of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste in the Russian Federation. They are also Parties to the Protocol to the MNEPR Agreement on Claims, Legal Proceedings and Indemnification of 21 May 2003 (hereinafter referred to as “the Protocol”).

The Ministry of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy, acting on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation, hereby acknowledges that [Contractor] has entered into an [Implementing Agreement/Agreement/Contract] with [Recipient] on [date] to provide Assistance for the implementation of the MNEPR Project known as [Project name]. The persons and entities identified in the attached list are the [Contractor’s] personnel, subcontractors, suppliers, subsuppliers and consultants who will be providing equipment, goods or services pursuant to the [Implementing Agreement/Agreement/Contract]. [Contractor] may amend this list, from time to time, upon notification to the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy or its authorized representative for the implementation of the [Project name].

The Ministry of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy, acting on behalf of the Government of the

Russian Federation, confirms that in accordance with Articles 2.1 and 2.2 of the Protocol,

a) with the exception of claims for injury or damage against individuals arising from omissions or acts of such individuals done with intent to cause injury or damage, it will bring no claims or legal proceedings of any kind against [Contractor] and its personnel or subcontractors, consultants, suppliers or subsuppliers of equipment, goods or services at any tier and their personnel identified in the attached list as amended from time to time, for any loss or damage of whatsoever nature, including but not limited to personal injury, loss of life, direct, indirect and consequential damage to property owned by the Russian Federation arising from activities undertaken pursuant to the MNEPR Agreement, it being agreed that this paragraph shall not apply to the enforcement of the express provisions of a contract; and

b) with the exception of claims for Nuclear Damage against individuals arising from omissions or acts of such individuals done with intent to cause damage, it shall provide for the adequate legal defence of, and indemnify, and shall bring no claims or legal proceedings against [Contractor] and its personnel or any subcontractors, consultants, suppliers, or subsuppliers of equipment, goods or services at any tier and their personnel identified in the attached list as amended from time to time, in connection with third-party claims, in any court or forum, arising from activities undertaken pursuant to the MNEPR Agreement, for Nuclear Damage occurring within or outside the territory of the Russian Federation, that results from a Nuclear Incident occurring within the territory of the Russian Federation.

The Ministry of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy, acting on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation, agrees that any dispute, controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Indemnity Confirmation Letter, including its existence or validity, shall be referred to and finally resolved by arbitration in accordance with UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules if such dispute has not been resolved amicably within ninety days of its submission to the Government of the Russian Federation for resolution. The appointing authority for the purposes of the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules shall be the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce. The place of arbitration shall be the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce, Stockholm, Sweden and Swedish law shall apply. Where the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules do not provide for a particular situation the arbitration tribunal shall determine the course of action to be followed.

This Indemnity Confirmation Letter shall enter into force upon signature by the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy, acting on behalf of the Government of the Russian Federation, and it shall remain in effect in accordance with the MNEPR Agreement and the Protocol.

____________________________________ ____________________________________

(Signature) (Title)

(Authorised representative of the Ministry of the Russian Federation for Atomic Energy)

___________________________________

(Date)

[1] GU C del , pag. .

[2] GU C del , pag. .

[3] It may be useful to provide that a copy of the letter also be sent to the Government of the country in which the Contractor carries on business