CELEX: 51990PC0023
Language: en
Date: 1990-05-10
Title: 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 )

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                                     COM(90) 23   final-SYN 249
                                                     Brussels,  10 Hay 1990
                                       Proposal for a
                                     COUNCIL DECISION
concerning the c o n c l u s i o n of a Cooperation Agreement between the European
Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway on a European S t i m u l a t i o n Plan
f o r Economic Science (SPES)
                        ( p r e s e n t e d by t h e Commission)
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 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
 ---pagebreak--- 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
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 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
 ---pagebreak---                                                                              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
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                   ->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.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                   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.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                             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.
 ---pagebreak---                              - 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 |
 ---pagebreak---                                                                               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
 ---pagebreak---                                                                                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.
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                                                      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
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