1999/171/EC: Council Decision of 25 January 1999 adopting a specific programme on confirming the international role of Community research (1998 to 2002)
Date: 1999-01-25
Institutions: Council of the European Union
Subjects: EU programme, research policy, scientific cooperation, the EU's international role, third country

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COUNCIL DECISION

of 25 January 1999

adopting a specific programme on confirming the international role of Community research
(1998 to 2002)

(1999/171/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 130i(4) thereof,

Having
regard
Commission (1),

to

the

proposal

from the

Having regard to the opinion of
Parliament (2),

the European

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

of

fifth

framework

programme

(1) Whereas by Decision No 182/1999/EC (4), the
European Parliament and the Council adopted
the
the
European Community (hereinafter referred to as
the fifth framework programme) for research,
technological development and demonstration
(hereinafter
activities
for the period 1998 to 20002 setting out the
general outlines and scientific and technological
objectives of the activities to be carried out in
the field of international RTD cooperation;

referred to as RTD)

the

framework
through

programme
specific

(2) Whereas Article 130i(3) of the Treaty stipulates
be
shall
that
programmes
implemented
developed within each activity under
the
framework programme, and that each specific
programme shall define the detailed rules for
implementing it, fix its duration and provide for
the means deemed necessary;

(3) Whereas,

Decision No 1110/94/EC of

in accordance with Article 4(2) of
the European

(1) OJ C 260, 18.8.1998, p. 65.
(2) Opinion delivered on 15 December 1998 (not yet

published in the Official Journal).

(3) OJ C 407, 28.12.1998, p. 123.
(4) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999, p. 1.

research,

technological development

the Council Decisions on the

Parliament and of the Council of 26 April 1994
concerning the fourth framework programme of
the European Community activities in the field
of
and
demonstration (1994 to 1998) (5) and Article 4(2)
of
specific
programmes implementing the fourth framework
programme, the Commission has arranged for an
external assessment to be conducted which it has
transmitted to the European Parliament,
the
Council,
the Economic and Social Committee
and the Committee of the Regions together with
its conclusions and comments;

(4) Whereas, in accordance with Article 130j of the
1999/65/EC of
Treaty, Council Decision
22 December 1998 concerning the rules for the
participation of undertakings, research centres
and universities and for the dissemination of
research results for the implementation of the
the European
fifth framework programme of
(hereinafter
Community
for participation
referred to as
rules
to this
and dissemination’) applies
specific
programme; whereas
rules allow the
these
participation of the Joint Research Centre in the
indirect
specific
covered
programme;

(1998 to 2002) (6)

actions

(cid:28)the

this

by

(5) Whereas, for the purpose of implementing the
international cooperation activities under this
programme,
cooperation
in addition to the
covered by the Agreement on the European
Economic Area, it may be appropriate to engage
in
or
international organisations, in particular on the
basis of Article 130m of the Treaty;

agreements with

countries

third

(6) Whereas RTD is of

action

special

developing

significance

countries,
should

in
achieving improved levels of quality of life in
and whereas
many
Community
special
significance in its contribution to improving the
in the countries
living standards of citizens
the
concerned,
environment,
and
sustainable development;

their health and the state of

prosperity,

improved

be

of

(5) OJ L 126, 18.5.1994, p. 1. Decision as last amended by

Decision No 2535/97/EC (OJ L 347, 18.12.1997, p. 1).

(6) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999, p. 46.

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(7) Whereas

scientific information networks can
have a particular impact on the various aspects
of international RTD cooperation;

for carrying out the specific programme is EUR 475
million,
the
Commission’s administrative expenditure.

including a maximum of 9,8 % for

(8) Whereas implementation of this programme will
also comprise activities and mechanisms aimed
at stimulating, disseminating and exploiting RTD
results,
and
medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and activities
to stimulate
the mobility and training of
researchers;

particular

vis-a` -vis

small

in

An indicative breakdown of this amount is given in
Annex I.

2. Of the amount in paragraph 1

— EUR 78 million is for the period 1998 to 1999,

(9) Whereas the equal opportunities policy of the
Community must be taken into account in the
implementation of this programme;

and

(10) Whereas efficient and transparent management
contributes to a more effective and user-friendly
programme;

(11) Whereas administrative expenditure should be
included in the Community budget
in a
transparent fashion;

— EUR 397 million is for the period 2000 to 2002.

In the case referred to in Article 2(1)(c) of the fifth
framework programme, the Council shall adapt the
latter figure in accordance with Article 2(1)(c), second
indent of the fifth framework programme. Pending a
decision by the Council, this specific programme shall
not be implemented beyond the provision of the first
indent.

(12) Whereas the implementation of this programme
should be monitored with a view to adapting it,
where appropriate, to scientific and technological
developments; whereas
there
should also be an assessment of progress with
the programme by independent experts;

in due

course

(13) Whereas the Scientific and Technical Research
Committee has been consulted on the scientific
and
specific
content
programmes,

technological

the

of

HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:

Article 1

The budgetary authority shall,

3.
in compliance
with the scientific and technological objectives and
the
laid down in this Decision,
priorities
appropriations for each financial year taking into
account
resources within the
multiannual financial perspective.

the availability of

set

Article 3

the

The

general

outlines,

and
1.
technological objectives and the priorities
for the
specific programme are set out in Annex II. They are
consistent with the principles and the three categories
of selection criteria indicated in Annex I to the fifth
framework programme.

scientific

In accordance with Article 3(1) of the fifth framework
programme, the specific programme on confirming the
international role of Community research (hereinafter
referred to as the specific programme) is adopted for
the period from 25 January 1999 to 31 December
2002.

Article 2

2.
In accordance with these principles and criteria
the selection criteria indicated in Article 10 of the
rules for participation and dissemination shall be
applied for the selection of the RTD activities to be
carried out.

All
these criteria shall be complied with in the
implementation of the programme, including the work
programme referred to in Article 5(1), although they
may be weighted differently.

In accordance with Annex III

1.
to the fifth
framework programme, the amount deemed necessary

The rules for participation and dissemination

3.
shall apply to the specific programme.

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4.
The detailed rules for financial participation by
the Community in the specific programme are those
referred to in Article 4 of
the fifth framework
programme.

3.
The work programme shall be updated where
appropriate and be made available by the Commission
to all
in a user-friendly form,
including in electronic form.

interested parties

indirect RTD actions

The
specific
programme are defined in Annexes II and IV to the
fifth framework programme.

under

the

Article 6

Specific rules for implementing the programme are set
out in Annex III to this Decision.

The Commission shall be responsible for the

1.
implementation of this specific programme.

Article 4

The procedure laid down in Article 7 shall apply

2.
for the adoption of the following measures:

In the light of the criteria referred to in Article 3, and
the
and
priorities set out in Annex II, the Commission:

technological

objectives

scientific

and

— the drawing-up and updating of

the work
programme referred to in Article 5(1), including
regarding the content of calls for proposals,

(a) shall monitor, with appropriate assistance from
independent external experts, the implementation
of the specific programme and, where appopriate,
for adapting it,
submit proposals
to Council
the fifth
in accordance with Article 5(1) of
framework programme;

— approval of RTD actions proposed for funding,
from third
including participation by entities
countries, where the estimated amount of
the
Community contribution under this programme is
equal to or more than EUR 0,3 million,

in Article 5(2) of

(b) shall arrange for the external assessment provided
fifth framework
conducted concerning the
in the fields covered by

for
programme
activities carried out
the specific programme.

to be

the

— the drawing-up of the terms of reference for the
external assessment provided for in Article 5(2) of
the fifth framework programme,

— any adjustment to the indicative breakdown of the

amount as set out in Annex I.

Article 5

The Commission shall draw up a work

1.
programme specifiying:

Article 7

(a) in greater detail, the objectives and RTD priorities

of Annex II;

(b) the indicative timetable for the implementation of

the specific programme;

(c) the coordination arrangements set out in Annex III;

(d) where necessary,

the selection criteria and the
arrangements for applying them for each type of
indirect RTD action.

2.
The work programme shall serve as a basis for
implementing the indirect RTD actions according to
the procedures set out in the rules for participation
and dissemination.

shall

The Commission

1.
a
programme committee (hereinafter referred to as (cid:28)the
committee’)
the
Member States and chaired by the representative of
the Commission.

representatives of

composed of

assisted

by

be

In the cases referred to in Article 6(2),
the Commission shall submit

the
2.
representative of
to
the committee a draft of measures to be taken. The
its opinion on the draft
committee shall deliver
measures referred to above within a time limit which
the Chairman may lay down according to the urgency
of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by the
majority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in
the case of decisions which the Council is required to
adopt on a proposal from the Commission. The votes
of the representatives of the Member States within the
committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in
that Article. The Chairman shall not vote.

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3(a) The Commission shall adopt

the measures
they are in accordance with the

envisaged if
opinion of the committee.

(b) If the measures envisaged are not in accordance
the committee, or if no
with the opinion of
opinion is delivered,
the Commission shall,
without delay, submit to the Council a proposal
relating to the measures to be taken. The Council
shall act by a qualified majority.

If, on expiry of a period of nine weeks from the
referral of the matter to the Council, the Council
has not acted, the proposed measures shall be
adopted by the Commission.

of

the

The Commission shall

4.
regularly inform the
the
overall
committee
implementation of the specific programme, and shall
in particular provide it with information about the
progress of all RTD actions
this
programme.

funded under

progress

of

Article 8

In accordance with Article 5(4) of the fifth framework
programme, the Commission shall regularly inform
the
the Council and the European Parliament of
overall progress of
the
implementation of
the
programme, including on the participation of SMEs
and the simplification of admininistrative procedures.

Article 9

This Decision is addressed to the Member States.

Done at Brussels, 25 January 1999.

For the Council

The President

J. FISCHER

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ANNEX I

INDICATIVE BREAKDOWN OF THE AMOUNT DEEMED NECESSARY

Type of activity

Cooperation with third countries

— Pre-accession States

— NIS and other CEECs

— Mediterranean partners

— Developing countries

— Emerging economy countries and industrialised countries

Training of researchers

Coordination

Total

(million EUR)

Amount

26

112
(of which 70 for INTAS)

55

210

5

15

52

475

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ANNEX II

THE GENERAL OUTLINES, THE SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTIVES AND
THE PRIORITIES

INTRODUCTION

The main objectives of this horizontal theme are: to promote S/T cooperation internationally; to
reinforce Community capacities in the fields of science and technology; to generally support the
achievement of scientific excellence within the wider international framework, and to contribute to the
implementation of the Community’s external policy also with the accession of new members in mind.

Strategic objectives and approach of the programme

— to promote scientific and technological cooperation between undertakings, organisations and
researchers from third countries and from the Community, likely to produce significant, mutual
and balanced benefits, taking into account the different needs and circumstances of individual
groups of countries and regions while respecting the protection of intellectual property,

— to facilitate access for research centres and undertakings established in the Community to scientific
and technological knowledge available outside the Community and useful to the Community’s
interests,

— to enhance the position and role of Community research in the international scientific and
technological arena and to promote a European scientific and technological culture, taking account
of the social and cultural needs of the countries with which it is cooperating,

— to prepare for the accession of new Member States, e.g. by encouraging their full association with
the framework programme; to contribute to the stabilisation of the RTD potential of the CEECs in
general and of the new independent States of the former Soviet Union (NIS), to support and
develop the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and to contribute to the sustainable economic, social
and scientific development of developing countries,

— to help European research players acquire information and gain experience of research capacity,
activity and priorities of industrialised third countries and (cid:28)emerging economy’ countries, so as to
make Community industry more competitive and enhance its presence on new markets.

International RTD cooperation will be pursued in two forms in the fifth framework programme:
firstly, through this specific programme and secondly, through the other specific programmes, and in
close coordination with them.

The specific actions provided for in this programme are as follows:

— to pursue strategically defined activities aimed at the accession candidate countries, other central
and east European countries (CEECs), the new independent States of the former Soviet Union
(NIS)
the Mediterranean partner countries and
developing countries. In order to exploit fully the opportunities for cooperation and optimise the
added-value at European level, this programme will also facilitate cooperation with certain
industrialised and emerging economy countries,

(excluding the Baltic States) and Mongolia,

— to increase the opportunities for training of researchers,

— to ensure coordination with other programmes of

the framework programme, with other
Community initiatives and policies, in particular external policies, as well as with policies and
programmes of Member States,
international organisations and cooperation schemes such as
COST and Eureka.

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The second form of international cooperation to be pursued will be the participation of partners from
outside the Union (without funding from this specific programme) in projects of the other programmes
in accordance with the participation and dissemination rules.

1. SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES IN THE PROGRAMME

This programme will finance only specific RTD activities which are relevant to certain third countries
or regions and which are not addressed by the other parts of the framework programme. Research
priorities will be identified through a strengthened dialogue and cooperation with the regions
concerned, taking into account any cooperation agreements and the diversity of their economic and
sociocultural situations and needs. Support will focus on research and technological development
cooperation rather than on technical assistance or technology transfer which can be better achieved
through Community external relations programmes. In the implementation of this programme, the
concerns of industry and in particular of small and medium-sized enterprises will be taken into
account.

A. COOPERATION WITH CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF THIRD COUNTRIES

A.1. States in the pre-accession phase

Rationale and objectives

The period covered by the fifth framework programme will coincide with the preparation for
membership of the European Union by the accession candidate countries. In the context of Agenda
2000, the objective of this programme is thus to help accelerate the reform in their science structures,
while safeguarding the highly qualified human resources and enhancing their RTD potential. This will
be pursued by encouraging these countries to become associated with the specific programmes and to
the reinforced
participate in projects under similar conditions to Member States.
pre-accession strategy proposed under Agenda 2000, this association with the framework programme
could be facilitated by a reduced, but progressively increasing, financial contribution required from
these countries (1) and by making use, where so decided, of other relevant Community instruments.

In view of

Activities

— Specific activities will be undertaken to promote existing centres of excellence in these countries in
order to put their research capabilities at the service of the economic and social needs of their
region and in conformity with the interests of the Union as a whole. The centres to be supported
should bring together theoretical and applied research, including research in the natural, social and
economic sciences, where possible using a multi-disciplinary approach. They should link local
expertise and international excellence and should also serve young researchers as training centres.
Support will be provided for schemes consisting of measures such as networking, conference and
workshop organisation and visiting scientists. This will enable cooperation with western scientists
in situ, and the establishment of programmes and events to highlight the (cid:28)supraregional’ relevance
of the centres, thus strengthening their attraction for neighbouring countries,

— In addition, accompanying measures will be developed to strengthen the participation of these
countries in other programmes of the framework programme (e.g. dissemination of information on
opportunities offered by the framework programme), making use also of cooperation networks.

A.2. NIS and CEECs not in the pre-accession phase

Rationale and objectives

Closer relationships between these countries and the Union in science and technology will help
these countries have made
maintain and stimulate their economic development. A number of
substantial efforts to consolidate the existing scientific potential and to provide new administrative

(1) The 10 countries of central and eastern Europe plus Cyprus.

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structures more suitable to research needs. The Union’s objectives in scientific cooperation with these
countries are to support efforts to develop a pluralistic scientific and technological system and to
preserve and develop their research excellence by building on existing expertise in order to help them
solve some of their major economic and societal problems.

Activities

This programme will undertake joint research projects and concerted actions in areas not covered by
the other specific programmes, in two forms:

— support for their research and technological development potential and promotion of cooperation
with the European scientific community, including through the International Association for the
Promotion of Cooperation with Scientists from the Independent States of the Former Soviet Union
(INTAS) for the NIS, provided that a new agreement is reached between its members on its
continuation. These activities will be carried out in the fields where these countries have a
recognised excellence and valuable cooperation potential. In this context, whilst respecting its legal
status, INTAS intends also to explore, where appropriate, the possibilities of the exploitation of
project results,

— cooperation in areas of mutual interest will be continued both with these CEECs and with the
NIS, building on the experience already gained in the Copernicus programme. Research will
include the following areas: regional problems linked to the environment and health; structural
problems of transition and socioeconomic development; sustainable use of natural resources such
as: desertification, rehabilitation of land-locked sea areas and large lakes, consequences of past
approaches to energy production and use, Arctic environment management, exposure of humans
to environmental agents, air pollution and water quality, prevention and control of re-emerging
diseases, reform of the health services system, satellite application, sustainable forestry; they may
also address problems concerning the reorientation of the science and technology sector including
the reorientation of socioeconomic research.

A.3. Mediterranean partner countries

Rationale and objectives

In addition to their participation in the other specific programmes and in the specific action for
research for development of this programme, certain specific actions will be undertaken with the
Mediterranean partner countries in order to strengthen the research and technology dimension of the
Euro-Mediterranean partnership,
improving where appropriate their research and technological
development capabilities and promoting innovation.

Activities

Without prejudice to the possibilities for cooperation with other specific programmes and taking into
account the continuous dialogue with these countries (e.g. in the context of the (cid:28)Barcelona process’),
specific activities will be undertaken concerning regional aspects of in particular the following areas:
integrated coastal zone management in the Mediterranean (including environmental aspects); water
management (including water/energy interactions); natural resource management in the context of
sustainable development of tourism; the preservation and restoration of cultural heritage; development
in the context of socioeconomic modernisation (including innovation, the urban dimension, health,
transport and support for the establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean information society).

A.4. Research for development

Rationale and objectives

The objective of this part of the programme is to tackle, jointly with developing country scientists,
research problems linked directly to development challenges in the long-term mutual interest. The
selection of topics to be covered will be based on policy dialogues and cooperation with groups of

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countries and regions concerning their RTD needs, priorities and specific socioeconomic requirements,
taking also into account development policy objectives of the Community and internationally agreed
development targets, as well as the experience gained in the fourth framework programme.

Activities

Specific activities will be undertaken in the following areas:

— Mechanisms and socioeconomic and policy conditions for sustainable development:

— analysis of the factors facilitating the adoption of existing innovations. In addition to the main
areas below, this will cover sectoral and intersectoral areas such as the global information
society, energy, transport, population, gender-related issues and urbanisation,

— Sustainable management and use of natural resources:

— promotion of a sustainable relationship between population pressure, food security and the use
the productivity of renewable natural
improvement of

and management of ecosystems;
resources and prevention of their degradation,

— analysis of the evolution in demand for agricultural products in these countries and research
on ways of meeting this demand; improvement of the efficiency of agricultural production
chains with particular reference to quality and health,

— Health improvement:

— research on equitable, efficient health systems and their impact; the influence of structural and
policy aspects; coverage of vulnerable groups; quality of care and its acceptability and
affordability; understanding of
the major health problems in these countries and the
development of instruments for prevention and control of the predominant diseases.

A.5. Emerging economy and industrialised countries

Rationale and objectives

These countries are both competitors and partners for the Union in the global market place. This part
of the programme will promote:

— bilateral as well as multilateral (e.g. G7, OECD) policy dialogue in research in order to facilitate

and monitor cooperation as well as to identify priorities of mutual interest,

— access to research know-how and opportunities available in these countries, thereby contributing
to the improvement of the performance of European research and the competitiveness of the Union
in the global economy,

— the sharing of the costs and benefits of global endeavours (e.g. human genome, information society

and activities covered by the agreement on intelligent manufacturing systems, IMS),

— cooperation aimed at the solution of worldwide problems (e.g. global climate change).

Activities

In order to facilitate and enhance access to the research potential which exists outside the Union, for
the benefit of the programmes’ key actions and generic activities, this programme will implement
scientific and technological cooperation agreements
in certain areas with certain non-Union
industrialised countries. This instrument could also be extended to cooperation in certain areas with

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some of the major emerging economy countries, i.e. certain developing countries which represent
important markets, and which have developed to the point that in specific scientific and technological
areas they are at par with industrialised countries.

B. TRAINING OF RESEARCHERS

A fellowship scheme will be established to allow a limited number of young doctoral level researchers
from developing countries, including Mediterranean and emerging economy countries, to work in
European laboratories on projects of the framework programme. This will further contribute to the
reinforcement of the scientific potential in these countries, while allowing Community research to
benefit from their expertise.

Another fellowship scheme will be provided enabling a limited number of young Community
researchers to work in industrially-oriented laboratories of the highest quality in non-Union countries
in areas of particular interest to the Community. The Community’s equal opportunities policy will be
taken into account in the implementation of these fellowship schemes.

C. COORDINATION

Coordination of activities within the framework programme and with other Community programmes

In order to define and implement international research cooperation policy, this programme will take
into account the policies, instruments, initiatives, interests and capabilities of other actors in this field.
A key objective is therefore to ensure coordination with the other specific programmes and with other
Community policies and instruments.

— Coordination with the other specific programmes will focus on ensuring consistency of approach
to partners from outside the Union across the specific programmes, on monitoring and analysing
(in terms of mutual benefit and utility) the participation of non-Union entities or international
organisations in the other programmes, and on studying participation trends by country and by
programme.

In addition, where there are opportunities for international research cooperation of mutual
interest, this programme will help the other programmes in establishing effective cooperation,
including the organisation of events aimed at providing information on the rules and policies
applicable to Community RTD in general, and to participation of non-Union country entities and
international organisations in particular,

— Coordination with the Community’s external technical assistance programmes such as PHARE,
TACIS, MEDA, EDF and the programmes for Asia and Latin America will increase the synergy
between their actions and the work carried out under research policy. This could provide effective
support for the scientific and technological sector in the countries concerned.

Coordination with COST, Eureka and international organisations

— COST: COST, which extends far beyond the Union, is a useful instrument to foster cooperation
and stimulate mutual coordination of national and international activities on a very broad scale,
both thematically and geographically, as well as to stimulate the participation of researchers from
pre-accession countries into pan-European activities. Its flexibility will continue to be used to
intensify exploration of new ideas and fields of scientific and technological endeavour. Improved
methods of ensuring complementarity beween COST and the framework programme activities will
be developed, in order to exploit better the potential for synergy between the two instruments,
particularly as concerns the implementation of the key actions and generic activities of the
framework programme. The programme will provide technical and financial support for COST
administration,

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— Eureka: framework programme and Eureka activities are complementary. The aim is to maximise,
around a limited number of priority themes of common interest, the coordinated use of the two
instruments. Simple and efficient ways of linking the fifth framework programme and Eureka will
be developed and applied primarily to strategic projects within the key actions of the thematic
programmes
the framework
programme. Information and coordination mechanisms will be enhanced, so as to foster a positive
development of these projects, while maintaining the distinct roles of Eureka and the framework
programme as well as their specificities and financial means,

in conformity with the selection criteria and procedures of

— international organisations: closer cooperation between the Community and international
organisations involved in research activities and S/T policy development and their participation in
activities of the fifth framework programme will strengthen the overall coherence of research in
scientific infrastructures. The
Europe and optimise the use and exploitation of Europe’s
Commission will, where appropriate,
in these
organisations in particular through encouraging coordination between and with the Member
States.

intensify the Community’s

involvement

Coordination with Member States

The international research cooperation activities of the Community and the Member States often
address similar or related issues. In full respect of the principle of subsidiarity, there is both scope and
need for increased coordination in certain areas which would lift the individual efforts above critical
mass and enhance overall effectiveness, flexibility and visibility of Community and Member States’
activities. Building on the experience of initiatives such as the (cid:28)European initiative on agricultural
research for development’, coordination activities can be supported through this programme in public
and industrial research areas where a need has been identified.

2.

INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PURSUED THROUGH THE OTHER FRAMEWORK

PROGRAMME ACTIVITIES

The second form of
international RTD cooperation referred to in the introduction concerns
participation of third country entities and international organisations in the other specific programmes
of the framework programme without funding from this specific programme. The rules for such
participation are set out in the Decision pursuant to Article 130j of the Treaty. This programme will
monitor the extent of this participation and its benefit to the Community as well as its conformity
with the Community’s external policy also with the accession of new members in mind. It will also
assess whether such participation should be subject to the conclusion of an international agreement in
order to provide equitable access for Community researchers to high quality RTD programmes in the
third countries concerned and/or to ensure adequate arrangements for intellectual property rights.

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ANNEX III

SPECIFIC RULES FOR IMPLEMENTING THE PROGRAMME

The specific programme will be implemented through the indirect RTD actions defined in Annexes II
and IV to the fifth framework programme. In addition, the following rules specific to this programme
will apply:

1. Accompanying measures

The accompanying measures will comprise in particular:

— studies in support of the specific programme, including the preparation of future activities,

— the exchange of

information, conferences, seminars, workshops and scientific and technical

meetings,

— recourse to external expertise, includingaccess to scientific databases, in particular forthe purposes
of
the fifth
frameworkprogramme, the external assessment provided for inArticle 5(2) of the fifth framework
programmeand the evaluation of indirect RTD actions and themonitoring of their implementation,

the specific programmeprovided for

in Article 5(1) of

the monitoring of

— dissemination,

information and communicationactivities,

including

scientific publications,

andactivities for the exploitation of results,

— training schemes related to RTD activitiescovered by the specific programme,

— support for schemes to provide informationand assistance for research players, including SMEs,

— support for initiatives to promote centresof excellence.

2. Exceptions from the financial participation rates

In the case of legal entities established in non-associated CEECs, Mediterranean partner countries, NIS
and developing countries:

— funding of RTD projects under the fifth framework programme may exceeded 50 % of the eligible

total costs in order to ensure the quality of their materials and research equipment,

— the expenditure on staff and equipment set out in the detailed rules for participation and
dissemination may be extended in the case of participation in the RTD projects on the basis of
eligible additional costs,

in accordance with the objectives of the specific programme.

3. Coordination arrangements

The Commission will endeavour to ensure complementarity between the indirect RTD actions within
the programme, in particular by grouping them around a common objective, and to avoid duplication,
while respecting the legitimate interests of proposers of indirect RTD actions.

Coordination will also be ensured between actions under the specific programme and those carried out
in:

— other specific programmes implementing the fifth framework programme,

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Official Journal of the European Communities

12.3.1999

— the research and training programmes implementing Council Decision 1999/64/Euratom of
22 December 1998 concerning the fifth framework programme of the European Atomic Energy
Community (Euratom) for research and training activities (1998 to 2002) (1),

— other European research frameworks

such as Eureka and COST and by international

organisations,

— other Community research-related instruments such as PHARE, TACIS, MEDA, EDF,

the

programmes for Asia and Latin America, the EIF, the Structural Funds and the EIB.

It will comprise:

(i)

the identification of common themes or priorities, resulting in particular in:

— the exchange of information,

— the carrying out of work decided on jointly, entailing in particular the joint initiation of one of

the procedures referred to in Article 9 of the rules for participation and dissemination,

(ii) the reassignment of proposals for indirect RTD actions between specific programmes or between a

specific programme and a research and training programme.

(iii) support for the Eureka secretariat and for the COST secretariat (2) and activities.

(1) OJ L 26, 1.2.1999, p. 34.
(2) Given the nature of COST, expenditure relating to the secretariat (non-statutory staff, missions, meetings,

information, etc.) will be treated as operating expenditure.