Source: EURLEX
Language: en
Format: md

##### **COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES**

**COM(90) 23** **final** -SYN 249

**Brussels,** **10** **Hay** **1990**

**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)

(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 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 ...

                                  For the Council

                                  The President

(1) O.J. N° L 71, 14.03.1987, p. 29

```

**`d^aMfcag*`** **`wr`** _**mrw***_

### **_G-+_**

_**- 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

```

```
                     - 3. 
Article 1

Norway is hereby associated, as from 1st January 1989, with the
implementation of the SPES Programme as set out in Annex A.

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

```

_**AO**_

```
                  ~ 5 
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

```

```
                                        ->M

                     - 6 
                     ANNEX A

 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.

```

_**SVL**_

```
                     - 7 
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 modelling problems relevant 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.

```

_**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 | MANAGEMENT AND | | | MANAGEMENT AND | | |
I j ADMINISTRATIVE | CONTRACTS j TOTAL | ADMINISTRATIVE | CONTRACTS | TOTAL |
## `I j OPERATION I I j OPERATION I I I`

| 1989 | 170 000 | 830 000 | 1 000 000 | 3 247 ( 15 853 | 19 100 |

| 1990 j 260 000 | 1 740 000 ! 2 000 000 | 4 966 | 33 234 | 38 200 |

j 1991 | 300 000 | 1 700 000 | 2 000 000 | 5 730 | 32 470 | 38 200 |

| 1992 | 320 000 | 680 000 | 1 000 000 | 6 112 | 12 988 | 19 100 |

! 1 1 1 I I 1 1

```

`|` _^ly'l?_ `I` `1` `050 000` `|` `4 950 000` `|` `6 000 000` `|` `20 055` `|` `94 545` `|` `114 600` `|`

_**AS**_

_**-**_ **`10 -`**

```
                     ANNEX C

                  FINANCING RULES

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 N [D] 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 17 11 16 Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-045-EN-C ISBN 92-77-57197-7

**Office for Official Publications of the European Communities**

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