PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION CONCERNING THE CONCLUSION OF A COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND IN THE FIELD OF MEDICAL AND HEALTH RESEARCH
Date: 1989-07-27
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Finland, medical research, public health

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0MC89) 386 final - SYN 211 

Brussels, 27 July 1989 

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning  the conclusion of a Cooperation  Agreement  between  the 

European  Economic  Community  and the Republic  of  Finland  in the 

field  of medical and  health  research 

(presented  by the  Commission) 

- z- 

C W 5H 

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

Subject:  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  concerning  the  conclusion  of  a 
Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European  Economic  Community  and 
the  Republic  of  Finland  in  the  field  of  medical  and  health 
research. 

By  its Decision  of 17 November  1987  (1),  the  Council  adopted  a research 
and  development  programme  of  the  Community  in  the  field  of  medical  and 
health  research  (1987  to  1991). 
Article  7 of  this  Decision  authorises 
the  Commission  to  negotiate  agreements  with  the  non-member  States 
participating  in  European  cooperation  in  the  field  of  scientific  and 
technical  research  (COST) with  a view  to associate  them wholly  or partly 
with the programme. 

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  some  of  the  research  targets  of 
the above-mentioned  programme. 

3.  Comprehensive  research  and  development  activities  in  the  field  of 
Bearing  in  mind  the 
medicine  and  health  are  carried  out  in  Finland. 
scientific  and  technical  importance  of  these  activities  and  considering 
that  cooperation  with  Finland  in the field of medical  and health  research 
is likely  to contribute  effectively  to the attainment  of an optimum  level 
of  individual  and  public  health,  the  Commission  has  negotiated  a draft 
cooperation  agreement  with  Finland. 

The  draft  agreement,  which  is  annexed  to  the  attached  proposal  for a 
Council  decision, provides for: 

-  cooperation  for  a period  from  1  January  1988  to  31  December  1991  in 

the following  reseach  targets of the Community  programme: 

-  AIDS  (Target  1.2), 

-  Medical technology  development  (Target  II.1), 

-  Health  services  research  (Target  II.2). 

The  cooperation  consists  of  the  coordination  of  the  activities  which 
form  part  of the  research  programmes  of  Finland  and of the  Community. 

-  a  financial  contribution  from  Finland  for  the  implementation  of  the 
coordination  activities.  This  financial  contribution  is proportional 
to  Finland's  gross  domestic  product  and  covers  coordination  costs, 
management  and operating  expenditure  and  fellowships. 

-  3 -

the enlargement  of  the  Management  and  Coordination  Advisory  Committee 
on  medical  and  health  research  (CGC)  and  of  the  relevant  Concerted 
Action  Committees  (COMACs) to  include  Finnish  representatives. 

5.  In view of the nature of the cooperation, any additional  expenditure paid 
from  the  Community  budget  (relevant  budget  heading  7311)  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). 

- 4 -

Proposal for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning  the  conclusion  of  a  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the European 

Economic Community  and the  Republic of  Finland  in the field of medical and 

health research. 

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  87/551/EEC  (4),  the  Council  adopted  a  research  and 

development  coordination programme of the European Economic Community  in the 

field of  medical and  health  research  (1987 to 1991);  whereas Article 7 of 

this  Decision  authorises  the  Commission  to  negotiate  agreements  with the 

non-member  States  participating  in  European  cooperation  in  the  field  of 

scientific and technical research (COST) with a view to associate them wholly 

or partly with this programme. 

(1)  O.J. N° C 
(2)  O.J. N° C 
(3)  O.J. N° C 
(4)  O.J. N° L 334, 24.11.1987, p. 20 

-  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  in the field of medical and health  research  should be 

approved, 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European  Economic  Community  and  the 

Republic of  Finland  in  the  field  of  medical  and  health  research,  is  hereby 

approved on behalf of the  Community. 

The text of the Agreement  is attached  to this Oecision. 

Article 2 

The President of the Council  shall  carry out  the notification  as provided  for 

in Article 7 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 AGREERENT 

THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY 

THE REPUBLIC OF FINLAND 

IN THE FIEL» OF 

MEDICAL ANO HEALTH RESEARCH 

- 7 -

COOPERATION  AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN 

THE EUROPEAN  ECONOMIC  COMMUNITY 

AND 

THE REPUBLIC OF  FINLAND 

IN THE FIELD OF 

MEDICAL AND HEALTH RESEARCH 

THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC  COMMUNITY, hereinafter  referred to as "the Community", 

and 

THE REPUBLIC OF  FINLAND, hereinafter  referred to as "Finland", 

both hereinafter  referred to as "the Contracting Parties", 

WHEREAS  the  Contracting  Parties  concluded  a  Framework  Agreement  for 
Scientific  and  Technical  Cooperation  which  entered  into  force  on  17  July 
1987; 

WHEREAS  by  its  Decision  of  17  November  1987,  the  Council  of  the  European 
Communities, hereinafter  referred  to as "the Council", adopted a research and 
development  coordination  programme  of  the  Community  in  the  field  of  medical 
and  health  research  (1987 to  1991) which  includes,  among  others,  research 
targets on AIDS, medical technology  development  and health  services research; 

WHEREAS  comprehensive  research  and  development  activities  in  the  field  of 
medical and health  research  are carried out  in Finland; 

WHEREAS cooperation  in the field  of medical  and health  research  is  likely to 
contribute  effectively  to  the  attainment  of  an  optimum  level  of  individual 
and public health; 

WHEREAS the Member States of the Community  and  Finland  intend,  in accordance 
with  the  rules  and  procedures  applicable  to  their  national  programmes,  to 
carry  out  the  research  described  in  Annex  A  and  are  prepared  to  integrate 
such  research  into a  process  of  coordination  which  they  consider will  be of 
mutual benefit; 

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS: 

- 8 -

Article 1 

The Contracting  Parties  shall  cooperate  for  a period  from  1 January  1988  to 
31  December  1991  in  the  following  research  targets  of  the  Community 
programme: 

-  AIDS  (Target  1.2) 

-  Medical  technology  development  (Target  II.1) 

-  Health  services  research  (Target  II.2) 

The  research  topics covered  by  this Agreement  are outlined  in Annex  A. 

The  cooperation  shall  consist  of  the  coordination  of  those  activities  which 
form part  of the research  programmes  of Finland  and of  the  Community. 

Finland  and  the  Member  States  of  the  Community  shall  remain  entirely 
responsible  for  the  research  carried  out  by  their  national  institutions  or 
bodies. 

Article 2 

The Commission  of the  European  Communities,  hereinafter  referred  to as  "the 
Commission",  shall be  responsible  for the  implementation  of the  coordination 
activities. 

It shall  be assisted  in  its  task by  the Management  and  Coordination  Advisory 
Committee  on  Medical  and  Health  Research,  hereinafter  referred  to  as  the 
"CGC",  set  up by  Council  Decision  84/338  (1).  This  CGC may be assisted by 
Concerted  Action  Committees  (COMACs)  composed  of  experts  designated  by  the 
competent  authorities  of Member  States of the  Community. 

The CGC, together with  those  COMACs  relevant  to the  research  targets  referred 
to  in Article 1,  shall be enlarged  to include two representatives  designated 
These 
by  Finland  who  may  be  assisted  or  replaced  by  one  Finnish  expert. 
representatives  and/or  experts  shall  attend  meetings  of  the  CGC  and  those 
COMACs  for all  items  relevant  to those  research targets. 

Article 3 

financial 

The  estimated 
for  the 
implementation  of the coordination  activities  covered  by this Agreement  shall 
be  set  according  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  relating  to  coordination  costs, 
management  and operating  expenditure  and fellowships. 

from  the  Community 

contribution 

(1>  OJ Nu  L 17? of 04.07.1904, p.  X 

- 9 -

The  estimated  financial  contribution  from  Finland  for  the  same  costs  and 
The 
expenditures  shall  be  proportional  to  the  Community's  contribution. 
proportionality  factor  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 
Finland.  This  ratio shall be calculated  on the basis of the  latest  available 
OECD statistical  data. 

The total  financial  contributions  from  the Contracting  Parties  for the period 
referred  to  in Article 1 are estimated  to amount  to: 

-  Ecu 29,655,000 from the  Community 
-  Ecu 

593,100 from  Finland 

The  Ecu  is  that  defined  by  the  Council  Regulation  (EEC)  No  3180/78  of  18 
December  1978 changing  the  value of  the unit  of account  used by  the European 
Monetary  Cooperation  Fund  (1), as amended  by Regulation  (EEC) No 2626/84 (2). 

The  rules  governing  the  financial  contribution  from  Finland  are  set  out  in 
Annex  B. 

Article 4 

During  the  course  of  its  third  year,  the  Commission  shall  evaluate  the 
programme,  having  regard  to the  objectives of  the research  targets  referred 
to in Article  1.  As a result  of this evaluation,  the Commission  may, after 
the CGC has been  consulted,  submit  to the  Council  a proposal  for  a revision 
affecting  some  or all  of these  research  targets. 
Finland  shall be  informed 
of the  results of this evaluation  and of any possible  revision. 

Article 5 

The  Member  States  of  the  Community, 
Finland  and  the  Commission  shall 
regularly  exchange  all  useful  information  concerning  the  execution  of  the 
research  subjects  covered  by  this  Agreement. 
The  Member  States  of  the 
Community  and  Finland  shall  provide  the  Commission  with  all  information 
necessary  for  coordination  purposes. 
They  shall  also  endeavour  to  provide 
the Commission  with  information on  similar  research planned or carried out by 
bodies which  are not under  their  authority.  Any  information  shall be treated 
as confidential  if so requested  by the party which  provides  it. 

On  completion  of  the coordination  activities  covered  by this  Agreement,  the 
Commission,  in agreement  with  the CGC, shall  send to the Member  States of the 
Community,  the  European  Parliament  and  Finland  a  summary  report  on  the 
implementation  and  results of the  research. 

Article 6 

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. 

(1)  0J N° L 379 of 30.12.197Ô, p. 1 
(2)  OJ N° L 247 of 16.09.1984, p. 1 

- 10 -

Article 7 

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 January 1988. 

Article 8 

1.  This agreement  is concluded  for the period  referred  to in Article 1. 

Should  the Community  revise the Community programme, the agreement may be 
terminated under  mutually  agreed  conditions. 
Finland  shall  be  notified 
of  the  exact  content  of  the  revised  programme  within  one week  after its 
The  Contracting  Parties  shall  notify  each 
adoption  by  the  Community. 
other  within  three  months  after  the  Community  decision  has  been  adopted 
if a termination of the agreement  is envisaged. 

2.  Whenever a decision on the Community  programme  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. 

3.  Excepted  as  provided  in paragraph  1 of this  Article,  either  Contracting 
Party may at any time terminate this agreement with  six months notice. 

Article 9 

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 

RESEARCH  TOPICS COVERED BY THE A6REENENT 

Target 1.2 - AIDS: 

Area 1.2.1 

Disease Control  and  Prevention 

Area 1.2.2 

Viro-immunological Research 

Area 1.2.3 

Clinical  Research 

Target  II.1 - MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY  DEVELOPMENT: 

Area II.1.1 

Diagnostic  Methods and Monitoring 

Area II.1.2 

Treatment  and Rehabilitation 

Area II.1.3 

Technical  and Clinical  Evaluation 

Target  II.2 - HEALTH SERVICES  RESEARCH (1): 

Area  II.2.1:  Research on  Prevention 

Area  II.2.2:  Research on Care Delivery  Systems 

Area  II.2.3:  Research on Health  Care Organization 

Area  II.2.4:  Health Technology  Assessment 

Til  The  following  actions  will  be  carried  out  through  seminars,  studies  and 

exchange of personnel  for training purposes: 

-  Evaluation  of  integrated  non-communicable  diseases'  prevention  and 

control programmes  (foreseen  in Area  II.2.1). 

-  Comprehensive  community  care  of  the  mentally  ill  (foreseen  in  Area 

II.2.2). 

-  Health Care planning  and management  (foreseen  in Area  II.2.3). 
-  Evaluation of clinical  practice  in hospitals  (foreseen  in Area  II.2.3). 

-  12 -

ANNEX B 

FINANCING  RULES 

Article 1 

These  provisions  lay  down  the  financing  rules  for  Finland  referred  to  in 
Article 3 of the Agreement. 

Article 2 

At  the  beginning  of  each  year,  or  -  in  accordance  with  Article  8  of  the 
Agreement  -  whenever  the  Community  programme  is  revised  so  as to  involve an 
increase  in the amount estimated  to be necessary  for its  implementation,  the 
Commission  shall  send  to Finland  a call  for funds  corresponding  to  its share 
of the annual costs under  the Agreement. 

This contribution  shall be expressed both  in Ecu and  in the Finnish  currency. 
The value  in  Finnish  currency  of the  contribution  in  Ecu shall  be determined 
on the date of the call for funds. 

The  travel  costs  of  Finnish  representatives  and  experts  deriving  from  their 
participation  in  the  work  of  the  CGC  and COMACs  referred  to  in Article  2 of 
the Agreement,  shall be  reimbursed  by  the Commission  in accordance  with the 
procedures  currently  in  force  for  the  representatives  and  experts  of  the 
Member States of the Community  and, in particular, in accordance with  Council 
Decision 84/338. 

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  three  research  targets as 
budget  receipts  allocated  to  an  appropriate  heading  in  the  statement  of 
revenue of the general budget of the European Communities. 

Article 4 

The  provisional  timetable  for  the  costs  referred  to  in  Article  3  of  the 
Agreement  are appended hereto. 

-  13 -

Article 5 

The  Financial  Regulations  in  force  applicable  to  the  general  budget  of  the 
European  Communities  shall  apply  to the management  of the appropriations. 

Article 6 

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

- 14 -

PROVISIONAL TIMETABLE FOR THE COSTS RELATING TO THE RESEARCH TARGETS (ECU) 

Budget heading 7311 "Medical and Health  research" (appropriations for commitments) 

I 

I 

1987 

| 

1988 

| 

1989 

| 

1990 

| 

1991 

| 

TOTAL 

| 

|  I. 
I 

Initial estimate 
of expenditure 

I 
I 

I 
I 

I 
I 

I 
I 

I 
I 

I 
I 

I 
I 

| 
| 
j 

| 

-  Target  1.2 
-  Target II.1 
-  Target II.2 

|  2,160,000  |  3,500,000  |  4,000,000  |  3,340,000  |  1,000,000  |  14,000,000*  | 
460,000  |  3,550,000  |  3,400,000  |  2,840,000  |  1,250,000  |  11,500,000  | 
| 
j 
225,000  |  1,575,000  |  2,550,000  |  1,650,000  |  1,000,000  | 
| 

7,000,000 

Total  |  2,845,000  |  8,625,000  |  9,950,000  |  7,830,000  |  3,250,000  |  32,500,000  | 

-— 

— 

- 

—i 

• 

- 

i 

— 

1 

|  II.  Revised estimate of 
| 
I 
| 

expenditure taking  into 
account the Cooperation 
Agreement with Finland 

| 
I 
I 
I 

| 
I 
I 
I 

| 
I 
I 
I 

| 
I 
I 
I 

| 
I 
I 
I 

I 
I 
I 
I 

I 
I 
I 
I 

| 
| 
| 

| 

-  Target  1.2 
-  Target  II.1 
-  Target  II.2 

|  2,160,000  |  3,570,000  |  4,080,000  |  3,406,800  |  1,020,000  |  14,236,800*  | 
460,000  |  3,621,000  |  3,468,000  |  2,896,800  j  1,275,000  j  11,720,800  | 
j 
| 
225,000  |  1,606,500  j  2,601,000  |  1,683,000  |  1,020,000  j 
j 

7,135,500 

Total  |  2,845,000  |  8,797,500  |  10,149,000  |  7,986,600  |  3,315,000  |  33,093,100  | 

|  III.  Difference between II and  I 
| 
j 
I 
| 

and I to be covered by 
Finland's contribution 

I 
0  | 
I 

I 
172,500  | 
I 

I 
199,000  | 
I 

I 
156,600  j 
I 

I 
65,000  j 
I 

I 
593,100*  | 
I 

* Including support  for "centralized  facilities" for primates 

N^ 

4 s 

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  dans  le  domaine  de  la 
recherche médicale et sanitaire. 

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. 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM (89) 386 final 

DOCUMENTS 

il  16 

27.7.1989 

EN 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-89-359-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-52499-5 

Office for Official  Publications of the European Communities 
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