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

COMMISSION  OF  THE  EUROPEAN  COMMUNITIES 

COM(90)  23 

final-SYN  249 

B r u s s e l s,  10  Hay  1990 

P r o p o s al  f or  a 

COUNCIL  DECISION 

the  c o n c l u s i on  of  a  Cooperation  Agreement  between 

the  European 
concerning 
Economic  Community  and  the  Kingdom  of  Norway  on  a  European  S t i m u l a t i on  Plan 
f or  Economic  Science  (SPES) 

( p r e s e n t ed  by  t he  Commission) 

-  2 -

EXPLANATORY  MEMORANDUM 

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

By  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. 

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

3.  Considering  that  the association  of Norway 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 Norway. 

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

Council decision, provides for: 

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

a financial  contribution  from  Norway  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  Norway's 
gross domestic  product; 

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

- 3 -

5.  In view of the nature of the  cooperation, any additional  expenditure paid 
from  the  Community  budget  (relevant  budget  heading  7332)  resulting  from 
the  implementation  of  this  draft  agreement  will  be  covered  by  Norway's 
financial  contribution. 

The  funds  paid  by  Norway  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  Kingdom  of  Norway  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  89/113/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 

framework  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 

- 5 -

WHEREAS  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, 

among others, the Kingdom of Norway, 

WHEREAS the cooperation  Agreement  between  the European  Economic  Community  and 

the  Kingdom  of  Norway  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 

Kingdom  of  Norway  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 at  ... 

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

For the Council 

The President 

G-+ 

d^aMfcag* wr  mrw* 

-  2  -

COOPERATION  AGREEMENT 

BETWEEN 

THE EUROPEAN  ECONOMIC  COMMUNITY 

AND 

THE KINGDOM  OF  NORWAY 

ON 

A EUROPEAN  STIMULATION  PLAN 

FOR  ECONOMIC  SCIENCE  (SPES) 

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

and 

THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY, hereinafter  called  "Norway", 

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  the  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  17  July 
1987; 

WHEREAS the  association  of  Norway  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 Norway's 
association  with  the SPES Programme; 

HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS 

Article 1 

- 3. -

Norway  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 Norway,  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  Norway's contribution  shall be  given by 
the  ratio  between  Norway'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 Norway.  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 Norway's  contribution  and the timetable of the commitment  estimates 
are set out  in Annex B. 

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

Article 3 

For  Norwegian  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 Norwegian  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 
ny  suggestions  for  changes  which  may  be  necessary  in  the  light  of  these 
results. 
A  copy  of  that  report  shall  be  transmitted  to  Norway  which,  in 
addition, shall be  informed  of any possible suggestions  for changes. 

-  4 

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  Norway  and  in  the  Community  in  the  activities  covered  by 
this aoreement. 

Article 6 

The  Commission  and  the  Royal  Norwegian  Ministry  for  Cultural  and  Scientific 
Affairs  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 Kingdom of Norway. 

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.  Norway  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 

~ 5 -

AO 

Article 10 

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, Spanish and Norwegian  languages, 
each of these texts being equally  authentic. 

Done at 

For the Council of the 
European  Communities 

For the Kingdom of Norway 

- 6 -

ANNEX A 

->M 

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

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. 

?..  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. 

- 7 -

SVL 

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. 

4.  Topics of  research  are, inter alia: 

(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 

to  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 

Ai 

- 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 2 

Norway's  financial  contribution  for  the  execution  of  the  SPES  Programme  is 
estimated  to be 114 600 Ecu. 

Article 3 

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

- 9 -

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

| 

j 

COMMITMENTS  FOR 

| 

NORWAY'S CONTRIBUTION 

| 

|  YEAR 
I 
I 

|  MANAGEMENT AND 
j  ADMINISTRATIVE 
OPERATION 
j 

| 
|  CONTRACTS 
I 

| 
j 
I 

TOTAL 

| 
|  MANAGEMENT AND  | 
|  ADMINISTRATIVE  |  CONTRACTS  | 
j 

| 
| 
OPERATION  II  I 

TOTAL 

|  1989 

|  1990 

| 

j 

170 000 

| 

830 000 

|  1 000 000 

260 000 

|  1 740 000  !  2 000 000 

| 

| 

3 247 

4 966 

( 

| 

15 853 

33 234 

| 

| 

19 100  | 

38 200  | 

j  1991 

| 

300 000 

|  1 700 000 

|  2 000 000 

| 

5 730 

| 

32 470 

| 

38 200  | 

|  1992 

| 

320 000 

! 

1 

| 

1 

680 000 

|  1 000 000 

| 

6 112 

| 

12 988 

| 

19 100  | 

1 

I 

I 

1 

1 

|  ^ly'l? 

I 

1 050 000 

|  4 950 000 

|  6 000 000 

| 

20 055 

| 

94 545 

|  114 600  | 

-  10 -

ANNEX C 

FINANCING  RULES 

AS 

Article 1 

These  provisions  lay  down  the  financing  rules  for  Norway  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  Norway  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  Norwegian 
currency,  the composition  of the Ecu being defined  in the Council  Regulation 
3180/78  (1). 
The  value  in  Norwegian  currency  of  the  contribution  in  Ecu 
shall be determined  on the date of the call  for funds. 

Norway  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 Norway  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  Norway  shall  be  credited  to  the  SPES  Programme  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 

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

(1)  0J  ND  L 379 of 30.12.1978, p.1 

M, 

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  Norvège  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) 23 final 

DOCUMENTS 

EN 

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Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-045-EN-C 

ISBN 92-77-57197-7 

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