PROPOSAL FOR A COUNCIL DECISION CONCERNING THE CONCLUSION OF A COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY AND THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA ON A EUROPEAN STIMULATION PLAN FOR ECONOMIC SCIENCE ( SPES )
Date: 1990-05-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Austria, agreement (EU), cooperation agreement, economics, research programme

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

C0M(90) 25  final  - SYN 248 

Brussels, 10 May 1990 

Proposal  for a 

COUNCIL DECISION 

concerning  the  conclusion  of  a  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European 
Economic  Community  and the Republic  of Austria on a European  Stimulation  Plan 
for Economic  Science  (SPES) 

(presented by the Commission) 

-  2 -

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

Subject :  Proposal  for  a  Council  Decision  concerning  the  conclusion  of  a 
Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European  Economic  Community  and 
the Republic  of Austria on a European Stimulation  Plan for Economic 
Science  (SPES) 

3y  its  Decision  of  13  February  1989,  the  Council  adopted  a  European 
Stimulation  Plan  for  Economic  Science  (SPES,  1989-1992).  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. 

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

3.  Considering  that  the  association  of  Austria  with  the  implementation  of 
the  Community  programme  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 Austria. 

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

the  association  of  Austria  with  the  implementation  of  the  Community 
programme; 

a financial  contribution  from  Austria  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;  this  financial  contribution  is proportional  to  Austria's 
gross domestic product; 

the  entitlement  of  Austrian  persons  and  research  bodies  to  submit 
research  proposals  and to conclude the  related  research  contracts with 
the Commission. 

DC 

-  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  Austria's 
financial  contribution. 

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

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 Austria on a European  Stimulation Plan 

for Economic  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  89/118/EEC  (4),  the  Council  adopted  a  European 

Stimulation  Plan  for  Economic  Science  (1989  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 

franework  agreements  for  scientific  and  technical  cooperation  with  the 

Community  with a view to associate  them wholly or partly with the programme, 

(1)  O.J. N° C 
(2)  O.J. N° C 
(3)  O.J. N° C 
(4)  O.J. N° L 44, 16.02.1989, p. 43 

K 

5 -

'JrîE.'JEAS by  Decision  87/177/EEC  (1),  the  Council  approved  the  conclusion  on 

behalf  of  the  European  Economic  Community  of  the  Framework  Agreement  for 

scientific  and  technical  cooperation  between  the  European  Communities  and, 

amono others, the Republic  of Austria, 

WHEREAS the cooperation  Agreement  between  the European  Economic  Community and 

the Republic  of  Austria  on  a  European  Stimulation  Plan  for  Economic  Science 

should be approved, 

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: 

Article 1 

The  Cooperation  Agreement  between  the  European  Economic  Community  and  the 

Republic of  Austria on  a European  Stimulation Plan  for Economic  Science,  is 

hereby approved on behalf of the Community. 

The text of the Agreement  is attached  to this Decision. 

Article 2 

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

in Article 10 of the Agreement. 

Done st  .... 

(1)  O.J. N0  L  71, 14.03.19U7, p. 29 

For the Council 

The President 

COOPERATION  AGREEMENT 

8ETWEEN 

THE EUROPEAN  ECONOMIC  COMMUNITY 

AND 

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA 

ON 

A EUROPEAN  STIMULATION  PLAN 

FOR  ECONOMIC  SCIENCE  (SPES) 

- 2 -

COOPERATION  AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN 

THE EUROPEAN  ECONOMIC  COMMUNITY 

AND 

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA 

ON 

A EUROPEAN  STIMULATION  PLAN 

FOR ECONOMIC  SCIENCE  (SPES) 

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

and 

THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, hereinafter  called "Austria", 

both hereinafter  called  the "Contracting Parties", 

WHEREAS,  by  its Decision  of 13  February  1989,  the Council  of the  European 
Communities, hereinafter  called  "the  Council", adopted  a European  stimulation 
plan  for  economic  science, - 1989 to 1992 -  (SPES),  hereinafter  called "the 
SPES Programme"; 

WHEREAS  the  Contracting  Parties  concluded  a  framework  agreement  for 
scientific  and  technical  cooperation  which  entered  into  force  on  30  July 
1987; 

WHEREAS the  association of  Austria with  the SPES  Programme  can  contribute to 
the overall  strengthening  of Europe's scientific potential; 

WHEREAS  the  Contracting  Parties  expect  to  obtain  mutual  benefit  from 
Austria's  association  with  the SPES Programme; 

HAVE AGREED  AS FOLLOWS 

> 

Article 1 

- 3 -

Austria  is  hereby  associated, 
implementation  of the SPES Programme  as set  out  in Annex  A. 

as  from  1st  January  1989,  with  the 

Article 2 

The financial  contribution  of Austria, deriving  from  its association  with the 
implementation  of  the  SPES  Programme  shall  be  established  in  proportion  to 
the  amount  available  each  year  in  the  general  budget  of  the  European 
Communities  for  appropriations  covering  commitments  to  meet  financial 
obligations  of  the  Commission  of  the  European  Communities,  hereinafter 
referred  to as "the Commission",  resulting  from work  to be carried out  in the 
framework  of  research  contracts necessary  to the  implementation  of  the SPES 
Programme  and  from  management  and  administrative  operating  expenditure  for 
the SPES  Programme. 

The proportionality  factor governing  Austria's  contribution  shall be given by 
the  ratio between  Austria'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 Austria. This  ratio shall be calculated  on the 
basis of the  latest  available  OECD statistical  data. 

The funds estimated  as necessary  for  the execution of the SPES Programme, the 
amount  of  Austria's  contribution  and  the  timetable  of  the  commitment 
estimates are set out  in Annex B. 

The  rules  governing  Austria's  financial  contribution  to the  execution of  the 
SPES Programme  are set out  in Annex  C. 

Article 3 

For  Austrian  research  and  development  bodies  and  persons,  the  terms  and 
conditions  for  the  submission  and  evaluation  of  proposals  and  the  terms and 
conditions  for  the  granting  and  conclusion  of  contracts  under  the  SPES 
Programme  shall  be  the  same  as  those  applicable  to  research  and  development 
bodies and persons  in the  Community. 

The  contracts,  drawn  up  by  the  Commission,  shall  show  the  rights  and 
obligations  of Austrian  research  and  development  bodies  and persons,  and in 
particular  the  methods  of  disseminating,  protecting  and  exploiting  the 
research  results. 

Article 4 

During  the  third year  of  the  SPES Programme,  the Commission  shall  address a 
report  to  the  Council  and  to  the  European  Parliament  on  the  basis  of  an 
evaluation  of the results  so far achieved. 
This  report  shall be  accompanied 
by  suggestions  for  changes  which  may  be  necessary  in  the  light  of 

3 

- 4 -

these  results.  A copy of that  report  shall  be transmitted  to Austria which, 
in addition  shall be  informed of any possible  suggestions  for changes. 

Article 5 

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

Article 6 

The  Commission  and  the  Austrian  Federal  Ministry  for  Science  and  Research 
shall  ensure  the implementation  of this Agreement. 

Article 7 

This agreement  shall  apply,  on the one hand, to the territories  in which the 
Treaty  establishing  the  European  Economic  Community  is  applied  and  under the 
conditions  laid down  in that  Treaty  and,  on the other  hand, to the territory 
of the Republic  of Austria. 

Article 8 

1.  This agreement  is concluded  for the duration of the SPES Programme. 

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

2.  Where  the  Community  adopts  a  new  R  S  D  programme  in  the  field  of  the 
economic  science,  this  agreement  may  be  renegotiated  or  renewed  under 
mutually  agreed  conditions. 

3.  Subject  to  paragraph  1,  either  Contracting  Party  may  at  any  time 
terminate  the agreement  with  six months' notice. The projects and work in 
progress at  the time of  termination  and/or expiry of  this agreement  shall 
be continued  until  they  are  completed  under  the  conditions  laid  down  in 
this  agreement. 

Article 9 

The Annexes A, B and  C to this Agreement  shall be an integral  part  thereof. 

>9 

Article  10 

-  5  -

This  agreement  shall  be  approved  by  the  Contracting  Parties  in  accordance 
with  their  existing  procedures. 

It  shall  enter  into  force  on  the  date  on  which  the  Contracting  Parties  notify 
each  other  of  the  completion  of  the  procedures  necessary  for  this  purpose. 

Article  11 

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

Done  at 

For  the  Council  of  the 
European  Communities 

For  the  Republic  of  Austria 

^o 

- 6 -

ANNEX A 

OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY  OF THE EUROPEAN PLAN TO STIMULATE 
ECONOMIC  SCIENCE  (1989 - 1992) (SPES) 

1.  The programme  consists  of  a  range  of  activities  which  have as  their aim 
the  establishment  of  a  network  of  cooperation  and  interchange  between 
economists of the highest professional  quality  at the Community  level. 

The purpose of these activities  is to: 

stimulate  the  mobility  of  Community  economists  and  cooperation  on 
joint  research  projects  or  networks  by  researchers  of  the  Community 
Member States; 

improve  training  by  encouraging  doctoral  students  and  researchers  of 
the  Community  Member  States  to  continue  with  their  work  in  Community 
universities  or  research  centres other  than those  of their  country of 
origin; 

-  encourage  young  economists  to  return  to  the  Community  if  they  have 
been  working  for  some  time  in  centres  of  excellence  of  non-Community 
countries, and 

favour  or  support  the  exchange  of  knowledge  and  information  between 
researchers  in economic  science of Community Member States. 

2.  The programme  shall be implemented  by support  for the following actions: 

scholarships,  research  grants,  grants  for  multinational  networks  or 
research projects, and 

subsidies  for high-level  training  courses,  organised  in collaboration 
with  the  scientific  communities  concerned,  and  facilitating  the 
realisation of surveys and  studies as well as access  to data banks. 

3.  Consideration  shall  be  given  to  applications  for  financial  support  made 
by  individuals  or  institutions  which  satisfy  each  of  the  following 
criteria: 

(a)  scientific  excellence; 

(b)  the  multinational  European  aspects  (transnational  cooperation  or 

activity outside the country of origin); 

(c)  the  European  interest  of  the  substance  of  the  research  either  in 
terms  of  its  general  scientific  value  or  its  applied  analytical 
content. 

Where  scientific  and  technical  quality  is  comparable,  particular 
attention  will  be  given  to  projects  likely  to  reduce  scientific  and 
technical  development  disparities  between  Member  States  and  thereby  to 
contribute  to  economic  and  social  cohesion  within  the  European 
Communities. 

JA 

4.  Topics of  research  are, inter alia: 

- 7 -

(i) 

the  Community's 
internal  market  programme  and  issues  of 
microeconomic  analysis,  including  industrial  organisation  and the 
economics of  regulatory  policies  (e.g. standards); 

(ii) 

European  integration  economics, including  issues of  intra-European 
regional  North-South  relations; 

(iii)  the  determinants  of  economic  growth  in Western  Europe,  including 
dynamic  factors,  such  as advanced  technology  and  innovation,  and 
constraints, such as environmental  concerns; 

(iv)  systematic  issues  in  the  monetary  areas  and  macroeconomic  and 

fiscal  policy  coordination; 

(v) 

problems  of  trade  policy  and  the  role  of  Western  Europe  in  the 
international  division of  labour; 

(vi)  employment,  health  and  social  policy  issues,  which  have  quite 
different  characterisitcs  in  Western  Europe,  compared  to  the 
United  States of America  or Japan, and 

(vii)  methodological 

and 

the 
above-mentioned  subjects  or otherwise  of fundamental  interest, the 
setting-up of  statistical  concepts and adequate  technical,  social 
and economic  indicators, as well as more precise economic models. 

modelling 

problems 

relevant 

to 

JZ 

- 8 -

ANNEX B 

FINANCIAL  PROVISIONS 

Article 1 

The  amount  estimated  as  necessary  to  carry  out  the  SPES  Programme  shall  be 
6  000 000 Ecu. 

Article  ? 

Austria's  financial  contribution  for  the  execution  of  the  SPES Programme  is 
estimated  to be 160 800 Ecu. 

Article 3 

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

M 

- 9 -

TIMETABLE  OF THE COMMITMENTS  ESTIMATED  AS 
NECESSARY  FOR THE  EXECUTION  OF THE SPES 
PROGRAMME  (COMMITMENT  APPROPRIATIONS) 
AND OF AUSTRIA'S  CONTRIBUTION  (ECU) 

| 

j 

COMMITMENTS  FOR 

| 

AUSTRIA'S  CONTRIBUTION 

|  YEAR 
I 
| 

j  MANAGEMENT  AND 
j  ADMINISTRATIVE 
I 

OPERATION 

| 
|  CONTRACTS 
| 

| 
| 
I 

TOTAL 

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

OPERATION 

| 

TOTAL 

| 

| 
| 
| 

I  1989 

j  1990 

|  1991 

|  1992 

| 

| 

| 

| 

170 000 

| 

830 000 

|  1 000 000  | 

4 556 

260 000 

I  1 740 000 

|  2 000 000 

| 

6 968 

300 000 

|  1 700 000 

|  2 000 000 

320 000 

| 

680 000 

|  1 000 000 

| 

| 

8 040 

8 576 

| 

| 

| 

| 

22 244 

46 632 

45 560 

18 224 

| 

| 

| 

| 

26 800 

| 

53 600 

| 

53 600 

| 

26 800  I 

i  ^^ 

I 

1 050 000 

|  4 950 000 

|  6 000 000 

| 

28 140 

|  132 660 

|  160 800  I 

TOTAL 

i

ll 

-  10 -

ANNEX C 

FINANCING  RULES 

Article 1 

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

Article 2 

At the  beginning  of  each year,  or whenever  the SPES  Programme  is revised so 
as  to  involve  an  increase  in  the  amount  estimated  as  necessary  for  its 
implementation,  the  Commission  shall  send  to  Austria  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  Austrian 
currency,  the composition of the Ecu being defined  in the Council  Regulation 
3180/78  (1).  The value  in Austrian currency of the contrioution  in Ecu shall 
be determined on the dote of the call for funds. 

Austria 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 Austria  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  Austria  shall  be  credited  to  the  SPES  Programme  as  budget 
receipts  allocated  to  its  appropriate  heading  in the  statement  of  revenue of 
the oeneral budget  of the European  Communities. 

Artie 1° 4 

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

Article 5 

At the end of each year, n statement  of appropriations  for the SPES Programme 
shall be prepared  and transmitted  to Austria  for  information. 

(1)  0J  ÏTL  379 of 30.12.1978, p.1 

JS 

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  l'Autriche  relatif  au plan européen de 
stimulation de la science économique  (1989 - 1992) (SPES). 

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'expérience. 

> 

ISSN 0254-1475 

COM(90) 25 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

17  11 16 

Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-049-EN-C 

ISBN  92  77  57233  7 

Office for Official  Publications of the European Communities 

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