PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION CONCERNING THE CONCLUSION OF A COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND ON A PROGRAMME PLAN TO STIMULATE THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERCHANGE NEEDED BY EUROPEAN RESEARCH SCIENTISTS ( SCIENCE )
Date: 1989-06-23
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Finland, action programme, research staff, scientific cooperation

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0MC89) 309 final - SYN 201 

Brussels,  23 June 1989 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

^m^miW«a«»—»»«»i^^»»"^^— 

concerning  the  conclusion  of  a  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European 
Economic  Community  and  the  Republic  of  Finland  on  a  programme  plan  to 
stimulate  the  international  cooperation  and  interchange  needed  by  European 
research  scientists  (SCIENCE). 

(presented by the Commission) 

-  2 -

COMMUNICATION  FROM THE COMMISSION  TO THE COUNCIL 

Subject:  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  concerning  the  conclusion  of  a 
Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European  Economic  Community  and 
the  Republic  of  Finland  on  a  programme  plan  to  stimulate, the 
international  cooperation  and  interchange  needed  by  the  European 
research  scientists  (SCIENCE). 

1.  By  its Decision of 29 June 1988,  the Council  adopted a programme plan to 
stimulate  the  international  cooperation  and  interchange  needed  by 
European  research  scientists  (SCIENCE,  1988 to 1992).  Article 5 of this 
Decision  authorises  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 plan. 

2.  In  the  context  of  the  implementation  of  the  Framework  Agreement  for 
scientific  and technical  cooperation between the European Communities and 
the Republic of Finland, the conclusion of which on behalf of the EEC was 
approved  by  the  Council  Decision  of  9  February  1987,  Finland  has 
expressed  an  interest  in  cooperating  in  the  implementation  of  the 
above-mentioned programme plan. 

3.  Considering  that  the  association  of  Finland  with  the  implementation  of 
the  Community  programme  plan  can  be  of  mutual  advantage  and  help  to 
improve the efficacy of Europe's scientific  and technical potential,  the 
Commission has negotiated  a draft  cooperation agreement  with  Finland. 

4.  The  draft  agreement,  which  is  annexed  to  the  attached  proposal  for  a 

Council decision, provides for: 

-  the  association  of  Finland  with  the  implementation  of  the  Community 

programme; 

-  a financial  contribution  from  Finland  for  the  funding  of  the  work  to 
be  carried  out  in  the  framework  of  research  contracts  and  of  the 
management  and  administrative operating  expenditure  for  the  Community 
programme  plan;  this  financial  contribution  is  proportional  to 
Finland's gross domestic product; 

the  entitlement  of  Finnish  persons  and  research  bodies  to  submit 
research proposals and to conclude the related research contracts with 
the Commission; 

-  the  enlargement  of  the  Committee  for  the  European  development  of 
science and technology  (CODEST) to include a Finnish  representative. 

- 3 -

5.  In view of the nature of  the cooperation, any additional  expenditure paid 
from  the  Community  budget  (relevant  budget  heading  7381)  resulting  from 
the  implementation  of  this  draft  agreement  will  be  covered  by  Finland's 
financial  contribution. 

The  funds  paid  by  Finland  will  be  credited  to  the  Community  budget 
(relevant  budget  article 602). 

6.  The Commision proposes  that  the Council  adopt  the attached proposal  for a 

decision. 

- 4 -

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning  the  conclusion  of  a  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the European 

Economic  Community  and  the  Republic  of  Finland  on  a  programme  plan  to 

stimulate  the  international  cooperation  and  interchange needed  by European 

research scientists (SCIENCE). 

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, 

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, and 

in particular Article 130 Q (2) thereof. 

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), 

In cooperation with the European Parliament (2), 

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), 

WHEREAS by Decision 88/419/EEC (4),  the Council adopted a programme plan to 

stimulate the  international  cooperation  and  interchange  needed  by  European 

research  scientists  (SCIENCE,  1988  to  1992);  whereas  Article  5  of  this 

Decision  authorises  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 

plan, 

(1)  O.J. NQ C 
(2)  O.J. N° C 
(3)  O.J. N° C 
(4)  O.J. N° L 206, 30.07.1988, p. 34 

-  5 -

WHEREAS  by  Decision  87/177/EEC  (1),  the  Council  approved  the  conclusion  on 

behalf  of  the European  Economic  Community  of  the  the  Framework  Agreement  for 

scientific  and  technical  cooperation  between  the  European  Communities  and, 

among others, the Republic  of  Finland, 

WHEREAS  the cooperation  Agreement  between  the European  Economic  Community  and 

the  Republic  of  Finland  on  a  programme  plan  to  stimulate  the  international 

cooperation  and  interchange  needed by  European  research  scientists  (SCIENCE) 

should be  approved, 

HAS  DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European  Economic  Community  and  the 

Republic  of  Finland  on  a  programme  plan  to  stimulate  the  international 

cooperation  and  interchange needed by European  research  scientists  (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. 

Article 3 

The  present  Decision  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  day  following  its 

publication  in the Official Journal  of  the European  Communities. 

Done at  .... 

For the Council 

The President 

(1)  O.J. N° L  71, 14.03.1987, p. 29 

- 6 -

COOPERATION AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN 

THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 

AND 

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND 

ON 

A PROGRAMME PLAN TO STIMULATE 

THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERCHANGE NEEDED BY 

EUROPEAN RESEARCH SCIENTISTS (SCIENCE) 

- 7 -

COOPERATION AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN 

THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 

AND 

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND 

ON 

A PROGRAMME PLAN TO STIMULATE 

THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERCHANGE NEEDED BY 

EUROPEAN RESEARCH SCIENTISTS (SCIENCE) 

THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, hereinafter called "the Community", 

and 

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND, hereinafter called "Finland", 

both hereinafter called the "Contracting Parties", 

WHEREAS,  by  its Decision  of  29 June  1988,  the  Council  of  the  European 
Communities,  hereinafter called "the Council",  adopted a programme plan to 
stimulate  the  international  cooperation  and  interchange  needed  by European 
research  scientists, - 1988 to 1992 - (SCIENCE),  hereinafter  called  "the 
Stimulation Plan"; 

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  Finland  with  the  Stimulation  Plan  can  help to 
improve the efficacy of Europe's scientific and technical potential; 

WHEREAS  the  Contracting  Parties  expect  to  obtain  mutual  benefit  from 
Finland's association with the Stimulation Plan; 

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS : 

- 8 -

Article 1 

Finland  is hereby associated  with  the  implementation of  the Stimulation  Plan. 
The summary  of the Stimulation  Plan and  its objectives are set out  in Annex  A. 

Finland  shall  take part  in a range of measures  to promote  training  and  improve 
the  mobility  of  research  scientists  of  the  Contracting  Parties,  to develop, 
support  and  promote  intra-European  scientific  and  technical  cooperation  and 
interchange networks  in all fields  relevant  to exact  and natural sciences. 

Article 2 

The financial  contribution  of  Finland,  deriving  from  its association with  the 
implementation  of  the  Stimulation  Plan  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 
Stimulation Plan  and from  management  and  administrative  operating  expenditure 
for the Stimulation  Plan. 

The  proportionality  factor governing  Finland's  contribution  shall be  given by 
the  ratio  between  Finland'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  Finland.  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  Stimulation  Plan, 
the  amount  of  Finland's  contribution  and  the  timetable  of  the  commitment 
estimates are set out  in Annex  B. 

The  rules  governing  Finland's  financial  contribution  to  the  execution  of  the 
Stimulation  Plan are set out  in Annex  C. 

Article 3 

For  Finnish  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 Stimulation 
Plan 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  Finnish  research  and  development  bodies  and  persons,  and  in 
particular  the  methods  of  disseminating, 
protecting  and  exploiting  the 
research  results. 

Article 4 

- 9 -

In  the  implementation  of  the  Stimulation  Plan,  the  Commission  shall  be 
assisted  by  the  Committee  for  the  European  Development  of  Science  and 
Technology  (CODEST),  set  up  by  Commission  Decision  82/835  (1),  and  by 
consultants. 

From  a list  submitted  to it by  the Finnish  authorities,  the Commission  shall 
appoint  a Finnish delegate  to CODEST.  He shall participate  in the definition 
of  outline  plans  for  the  stimulation  of  the  international  cooperation  and 
interchange needed  by European  research  scientists  and  in  the examination  of 
applications  submitted  under  the Stimulation  Plan. 

Article 5 

After 30  months  from  the  beginning  of  the  implementation  of  the  Stimulation 
Plan,  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  Finland  which,  in  addition  shall  be  informed  of  any 
possible  suggestions  for changes. 

Article 6 

Each  Contracting  Party  undertakes,  in  accordance  with  its  respective  rules 
and  regulations, to facilitate  the movement  and  residence of research workers 
participating  in  Finland  and  in  the  Community  in  the  activities  covered  by 
this agreement. 

Article 7 

The Commission  and the  Academy  of  Finland  shall  ensure  the  implementation of 
this Agreement. 

Article 8 

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 Republic of  Finland. 

Article 9 

1.  This agreement  is concluded  for the duration of the Stimulation Plan. 

Should  the  Community  revise  the  Stimulation  Plan,  the  agreement  may  be 
renegotiated  or  terminated  under  mutually  agreed  conditions.  Finland 

(1) OJ Nu L 350 of 10.12.1982, p. 45 

-  10 -

shall  be  notified  of  the  exact  content  of  the  revised  plan  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.  This  agreement  shall  be  renewed  by  tacit  agreement  when  the  Community 
adopts  a new  Stimulation  Plan,  for  the duration of the new plan,  unless 
it  is  terminated  by  one Contracting  Party by  written notification  to the 
other  Contracting  Party within  three months  following  the adoption of the 
new plan.  The provisions of the second  subparagraph  of paragraph  1 above 
remain  applicable. 

3.  Whenever  a  decision  on  a  Stimulation  Plan  is  taken  by  the  Community, 
Annexes  A  and  B  shall  be  amended  in  accordance  with  the  Community's 
decision, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Contracting Parties. 

4.  This  agreement  shall  not  be  regarded  as  having  expired  merely  because 

there  is a delay  in the adoption of a future Stimulation  Plan. 

5.  Excepted  as  provided  in  paragraphs  1  and  2  of  this  article,  either 
Contracting Party  may at  any  time  terminate the  agreement  with  6 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  thé conditions  laid down  in the  contracts  referred  to in 
Article 3 of this  agreement. 

Article  10 

This  agreement  shall  be  approved  by  the  Contracting  Parties  in  accordance 
with  their  existing  procedures.  Subject  to  the  Contracting  Parties  having 
notified  each  other  of  the  completion  of  the  procedures  necessary  for  this 
purpose, it shall enter  into force on 1st  July 1989. 

Article 11 

This agreement  shall be drawn up  in duplicate  in the Danish,  Dutch, English, 
French,  German,  Greek,  Italian, Portuguese, Spanish  and  Finnish  languages, 
each of  these texts being equally  authentic. 

Done at 

For the Council of the 
European  Communities 

For the Republic of  Finland 

- 11 -

ANNEX A 

OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY  OF THE STIMULATION  PLAN  (1988 to 1992) 

The  Stimulation  Plan  consists  of  a  range  of  activities  selected  on  the 
basis of their  scientific  and  technical  quality,  which  have as their aim 
the  establishment  of  a  network  of  scientific  and  technical  cooperation 
and  interchange  at European  level which  will gradually  be extended. 
The 
overall  objective  is  to  improve  the  efficacy  of  scientific  and 
technological  research  in all  the Member  States and to contribute  thereby 
to  the  reduction  of  scientific  and  technical  disparities  between  the 
different  Member  States of  the European  Community. 
It covers all  fields 
of  science and technology  (the exact  and natural  sciences). 

Whilst  the  Stimulation  Plan  therefore  aims  to  improve  the  overall 
scientific  and  technical  quality  of  research  and  development  in  all 
Member  States of the Community,  its specific objectives  are to: 

-  promote  training  through  research  and,  by  means of  cooperation,  the 

better use of high  level  researchers  in the  Community, 

-  improve  the  mobility  of  research  scientists  of  the  Member  States  of 

the  Community, 

-  develop 

support 
cooperation on high quality  projects, 

intra-European 

and 

scientific 

and 

technical 

-  promote  the  setting-up  of  intra-European  cooperation  and  interchange 
networks  with  a  view  to  reinforcing  the  overall  scientific  and 
technical  competitivity  of  the Community  and  thereby  strengthening  its 
economic  and  social  cohesion. 

2.  The  objectives  set  out  above  will  be  achieved  by  means  of  support 
measures  for  research  scientists,  teams  of  research  and  development 
organisations  to  ensure  the  harmonious  scientific  and  technical 
development  of the Community.  These will  take the  following  forms: 

-  Research  bursaries 

Financial  support  granted  to  scientists  to  enable  them  to  acquire 
additional  training  by  participating  in  a  research  project  in  a 
laboratory  in a Community  country  other  than  their own  for a period of 
at  least  one year  and at most  two years. 

-  Research  grants 

These  cover  the cost  to the  laboratories  concerned  of  the  transfer or 
secondment  of  a  research  scientist  from  one  Community  country  to 
another,  either  to  allow  a  scientist  to  be  taken  on  in  a  team  in a 
country  other  than  his  own  or  to  enable  a  science  graduate  to 
specialise  before  joining  a  university  or  industrial  research 
laboratory. 

-  16 -

ANNEX C 

FINANCING  RULES 

Article 1 

These  provisions  lay  down  the  financing  rules  for  Finland  referred  to  in 
Article 2 of the agreement. 

Article 2 

At  the beginning of each year, or whenever  the Stimulation  Plan  is revised so 
as  to  involve  an  increase  in  the  amount  estimated  as  necessary  for  its 
implementation,  the  Commission  shall  send  to  Finland  a  call  for  funds 
corresponding  to its contribution  to the costs under  the agreement. 

This contribution  shall be expressed both  in Ecu and  in the Finnish  currency, 
the  composition  of  the  Ecu  being  defined  in  the  Council  Regulation  3180/78 
(1). 
The  value  in  Finnish  currency  of  the  contribution  in  Ecu  shall  be 
determined  on the date of  the call  for funds. 

Finland  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  Finland  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 Finland  shall be credited  to the Stimulation Plan 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 

The  travel  arid subsistence  costs  of  the  Finnish  delegate  to  CODEST deriving 
from his participation  in the meetings of  this committee, shall be  reimbursed 
by  the  Commission  in  accordance  with  the  procedures  currently  in  force  for 
the delegates of the Member  States of  the  Community. 

Article 6 

At the  end of  each  year,  a  statement  of  appropriations  for  the  Stimulation 
Plan shall be prepared  and  transmitted  to Finland  for  information. 

<1>  OJ NU  L 379 of 30.12.1978, p.1 

-4?-

FICHE D'IMPACT SUR LA COMPETITIVITE ET L'EMPLOI 

Ce projet  a trait  à une décision  du Conseil  concernant  la conclusion d'un 
accord  de  coopération  entre  la  CEE  et  la  Finlande  relatif  au  plan  de 
stimulation des coopérations  internationales et des échanges nécessaires aux 
chercheurs européens (1988-1992) (SCIENCE). 

En tant que tel,  ce projet peut avoir un impact positif sur les PME, dans la 
mesure où il constitue un Instrument  facilitant l'accès à la connaissance et 
à l'échange d'expériences. 

- 14 -

ANNEX B 

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS 

Article 1 

The funds  estimated as  necessary  for  the execution  of the Stimulation Plan 
amount to 167,000,000 Ecu. 

Article 2 

Finland's financial contribution to the execution of the Stimulation Plan is 
estimated to be 2,460,000 Ecu. 

Article 3 

The  timetable  of  the  commitment  estimates  and  of  Finland's  financial 
contribution is given in the following page. 

-  15 -

TIMETABLE OF THE COMMITMENTS  ESTIMATED  AS 

NECESSARY  FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE  STIMULATION 
PLAN  (COMMITMENT  APPROPRIATIONS) 
AND OF FINLAND'S CONTRIBUTION  (ECU) 

| 
II 
|  YEAR 
I 
I 

| 

COMMITMENTS  FOR 

* 

|  MANAGEMENT AND 
|  ADMINISTRATIVE 
OPERATION 
| 

I 
j  CONTRACTS 
| 

I 
| 
I 

TOTAL 

j 
I 

FINLAND'S CONTRIBUTION 

I  MANAGEMENT AND  j 
| 
j  ADMINISTRATIVE  |  CONTRACTS  | 
j 
j 

OPERATION 

j 

TOTAL 

| 
I 
| 
| 
j 

I  1988 

| 

220,000 

I  28,780,000  |  29,000,000  I 

- 

I  1989 

I  1990 

I  1991 

I  1992 

| 

| 

| 

| 

1,930,000 

I  28,070,000  |  30,000,000  | 

19/300* 

2,120,000 

|  32,880,000  |  35,000,000  | 

42,400 

2,250,000 

I  32,750,000  |  35,000,000  I 

45,000 

2,380,000 

I  35,620,000  |  38,000,000  | 

47,600 

| 

| 

| 

I 

| 

- 

| 

- 

| 

280,700*  | 

300,000* | 

657,600  | 

700,000  I 

655,000  | 

700,000  I 

712,400  | 

760,000  I 

| 

j™*}?  I 

8,900,000 

|  158,100,000  |  167,000,000  | 

154,300 

|  2,305,700  |  2,460,000  I 

*  contribution for the period 1st July to 31st December  1989 

-  12 -

Depending  on  the  type  of  scientist  and  the  purpose  of  the  research 
allocation,  it may  take different  forms: 

funding  to enable  a research  scientist  to make short  stays  (from  15 
days  to  2  months)  in  a  foreign  country  within  the  Community  to 
carry  out  specific  experiments  in  a  particular  scientific  or 
technical  facility  not  available  in his own  country; 

funding  to  cover  the  costs  associated  with  mobility  (travel, 
subsistence,  Insurance,  removal,  etc.),  the  research  work  and 
possibly  the salary of a scientist  seconded  to or  incorporated  in a 
research  team  in  a  country  (in  the  Community)  other  than  his own, 
for a period  of at  least  six months and at most  three years; 

funding  to  cover  the  costs  associated  with  the  mobility  and 
research  work  of  a  scientist  taken  on  in  industry,  who  goes  to 
follow  a  lengthy  training  course  (from  one  to  three  years)  in  a 
public  sector  laboratory  in  a  foreign  country  (within  the 
Community); 

subsidies  for  high-level  training  courses: 
financial  support 
granted  to  a  body  offering  a  specialised  high-level  course  held 
within  a  Member  State  so  that  it  can  accept  scientists  from 
different  Community  Member  States to  give them  additional  training 
or enable them to  retrain  for other  functions. 

-  Twinning of  laboratories  in different  countries 

This  enables  researchers  who  are  working  in  isolation  in  an  advanced 
field  in  several  Community  countries  to  bring  their  efforts  together, 
without  coming  into one  laboratory, and  thus encouraging  the  formation 
of  a research  team exceeding  the necessary  "critical  size". 
Funding 
is  granted  to  allow  the  researchers  to  meet,  to  carry  out  joint 
experiments,  to  exchange  results,  to  add  to  their  equipment  or  to 
strengthen  their  teams  by  temporarily  taking  on  other  scientists, 
preferably  from  a different  country. 

-  Development  of muttidlsciplinary, multinational  operations 

This  would,  by  virtue  of  the  financial  resources  made  available, 
enable  the  associated  research  teams  to  have  enough  resources 
(including  equipment) and be able to bring  together  the best  expertise 
available  in different  countries  and disciplines,  in order  to achieve 
a  pre-determined  objective  or  to  undertake  jointly  a pre-determined 
scientific  task  in the framework  of  a S/T  cooperation  "network". 

In  addition,  the  Plan  will  be  complemented  by  sectoral  incentive 
measures:  research bursaries,  research grants  and  subsidies  financed 
in  the  framework  of  each  of  the  Community  research  and  development 
programmes  following  the  agreement  of  the  appropriate  Management  and 
Coordination  Committee  (CGC). 

-  13 -

Measures  to  stimulate  interchange  and  cooperation  apply  to  all  fields 
relevant  to the exact  and natural  sciences, such as: 

-  mathematics 
-  physics 
-  chemistry 
-  life  sciences 
-  earth  sciences and ocean  sciences 
-  scientific  instrumentation 
-  engineering  sciences. 

4.  In the fields  in which  support  will be granted, multinational  projects to 
benefit  from the Community  support  measures will be chosen essentially  on 
the  basis  of  their  quality, 
the  extent  to  which  they  are 
multidlscipllnary  in content, their  innovative aspects and  their value in 
terms  of  breaking  down  barriers  between  different  forms  of  research  and 
Where  scientific  and 
development  in  all  parts  of  the  Community. 
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  Community. 

5.  The choice of  stimulation  incentive measures  and the teams concerned will 
be made by  the  Commission  which,  with the  help of  the Committee  for the 
European  Development  of  Science  and Technology  (CODEST), will make use of 
a  peer  review  system. 
The  Commission  will  see  to  it  that  there  is 
consistency  between  the  stimulation  activity  and  programmed  Community 
R &D  activities. 

6.  The Commission  will  at  the same time undertake  a series of consultations, 
surveys  and  seminars  with  the  cooperation  of  Community  scientific  and 
technical  circles  in  order  to  analyse  and  evaluate  scientific  and 
technical  needs and opportunities,  with  the aim of providing more detail 
to the content  of  the Stimulation  Plan. 

The  Commission  will  cooperate  closely  with  the  national  authorities  to 
ensure  consistency  between  these  activities  and  national  policies  on 
research  stimulation. 

7.  In order  to  evaluate  the  scientific  and/or  technical  quality  of  requests 
for support, as well  as to analyse  scientific  and  technical  opportunities 
and  needs  or  to  assess  projects  which  have  been  financed  or  the actilty 
itself,  the  Commission  may  call  upon  expertise  from  outside  Its  own 
staff. 

Commission of the  European Communities 

COM(89)  309  final 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

concerning  the  conclusion  of  a  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the 
European  Economic  Community  and  the  Republic  of  Finland  on  a  pro 
gramme plan to stimulate the international cooperation and interchange 
needed by European research scientists  (Science) 

(submitted by the  Commission) 

23.6.1989 

Office for  Official  Publications of the  European Communities 
L - 2985  Luxembourg 

Series:  DOCUMENTS 

1989 -  17 pp. -  Format:  21.0 *  29.7 cm 

EN 

ISSN  0254-1475 

ISBN  92-77-51682-8 

Catalogue number:  CB-CO-89-275-EN-C 

COM(89)  309  final 

ISSN 0254-1475 

DOCUMENTS 

Proposal for  a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

concerning the  conclusion  of  a  Cooperation 
Agreement  between  the  European  Economic 
Community  and the  Republic  of  Finland  on a 
programme  plan to  stimulate  the  international 
cooperation  and  interchange  needed  by 
European  research  scientists  (Science) 

(submitted  by the  Commission) 

11 

16 

Catalogue  number:  CB-CO-89-275-EN-C 

ISBN  92-77-51682-8 

€ 

COMMISSION  OF THE EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

23.6.1989