CELEX: 51991PC0402
Language: en
Date: 1991-11-15
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the conclusion of a cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden on a research and technological development programme in the fields of renewable raw materials: forestry and wood products ( including cork ), " FOREST " and the recycling of waste, " REWARD "

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                            C0MC91) 402 final - SYN 365
                                             Brussels, 15 November 1991
                                  Proposal for a
                                 fi^NCJ.kJ3LÊ£i^LQfc!
concerning  the  conclusion   of  a  Cooperation  Agreement  between   the  European
Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden on a research and technological
development programme   in the fields of renewable raw materials:       forestry and
wood products (including cork), "FOREST" and the recyciing of waste, "REWARD".
                           (presented by the Commission)
 ---pagebreak---                                           ~Z-
                               EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM
Sublect:    Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion of a
            Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and
            the Kingdom of Sweden on a research and technological development
            programme In the fields of renewable raw materials and recycling.
1.  By Its Decision of 20th November 1989^1^, the Council adopted a specific
    R&TD programme In the fields of raw materials and recycling (1990-1992).
2.  Article    8 of this    Decision authorises         the Commission to        negotiate
    agreements with specified       third    countries,     Including    those European
    countries    having concluded framework agreements for              scientific     and
    technical cooperation with the Community, with a view to associating them
    wholly or partly with the programme.
3.  In the context of the Implementation of the Framework Agreement for
    scientific   and technical cooperation between the European Communities and
    Sweden, the conclusion of which on behalf of the EEC was approved by the
    Council Decision of 9th February 1987, this                 country has asked to
    part Id pate In two subprogrammes of the above mentioned Community
    programme, relating    to both forestry and wood products (Including              cork)
    as a renewable raw material (FOREST) and the recycling of waste (REWARD).
4.  European cooperation within the field of forestry and forest                Industrial
    research Is Justified by the cross-border nature of siIviculture              research
    problems and the need to unite the skills             of scientists     from various
    technological disci piInes In order to Improve the Industrial             use of wood
    as a raw material.     Only Joint efforts       In promoting and adapting recent
    biotechnologlcal     and technological      findings     within   this    sector can
    guarantee a significant     contribution    to the development of forestry and
    forest Industries Inside Europe.
    An International    network of research teams Is the most efficient method
    for promoting the recycling of waste. The extension of the coordination
    of national efforts to Sweden will Improve the disséminât Ion of knowledge
    on the technologies       Involved and ensure the role of the European
    laboratories    In the Improvement of the technological           know-how In this
    field     where Sweden, in      particular,       plays   an Important       role    In
    Scandinavia.
    Considering that the association of Sweden with the Implement at Ion of
    these Community subprogrammes can be of mutual advantage, the Commission
    negotiated with this country the attached draft Agreement.
    During the negotiations,     Sweden accepted the bilateral          agreement pattern
    proposed by the Commission and recently                  used for      EFT A country
    participation     In the environmental         programme "STEP". This           pattern
    Introduced a new element - the "Cooperation Committee" - which did not
    exist In the S & T cooperation agreements previously concluded between
    the EC and EFTA countries.
(1) O.J. No. L 359, 8.12.1989,     p.16.
 ---pagebreak---                                                              -;*-
6.  The new pattern             allows        these countries            to participate            in the Community
    R&D programmes which are managed by committees                                     laid down In the              Council
    Decision      87/373/EEC of 13th July 1987 and takes Into account                                         the        three-
    phase procedure              described           In the statements                minuted        at     the      Council
    meeting of 20th November 1989 at which the programme on raw materials                                                   and
    recyclIng      was adopted.              This procedure was detailed                    in paragraph          7 of the
    Commission Communication to the Council of 13th June                                        1990(2'.
7.  The Commission               will       endeavour         to     achieve        consistency            between           the
    functions       of the Cooperation                  Committee and the coordination                          requirement
    provided     for In Article              3(4)       of this proposed draft                Agreement .
    Sweden having            accepted           as a fundamental               criterion         of     reference            the
    principle        that     raw materials               and recycling            was and has to remain                       a
    Community         programme           In which          the      Community          Interests          have      to       be
    safeguarded,         a draft       Agreement has been agreed.
    The draft        Agreement,          which        is annexed        to    the     attached        proposal         for     a
    Council Decision,             provides          for:
    -    the    association            of Sweden with                the     Implement at Ion           of    the       above
        mentioned Community subprogrammes ;
    -   a financial         contribution           from Sweden 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
        subprogrammes;             this       financial        contribution           Is proportional               to      the
        gross     domestic           product        (GDP) of Sweden; the                     funds      paid      will        be
        credited        to the Community budget (relevant                              budget       heading       602)        In
        conformity        with the financial               Annexes C and D;
    -   the entitlement             of persons and research                   bodies from Sweden to                    submit
        research proposals               and to conclude the related                    research       contracts           with
        the     Commission;
    -   the establIshment               of a Cooperation              Committee with représentât                   Ives of
        the Community and Sweden, to ensure a proper                                      implementation            of      the
        Agreement and mutual coordination                           and Informat Ion on the                   development
        of the "FOREST" and "REWARD" subprogrammes.                                   The Committee shall                 adopt
         Its own rules of               procedure.
10. In view of the nature of the                      cooperation,        any additional            expenditure            paid
    from the Community budget                      (relevant        budget heading             B6-8004)             resulting
    from     the Implement at Ion of                 this draft        Agreement will           be covered by the
    financial      contribution            from    Sweden.
11. The Commission          proposes         that      the Council        adopt     the    attached        proposal         for
    a       Decision.
(2) Communication         to the Council              "Cooperation         In S & T with          third         countries'
    (COM (90) 256              final).
 ---pagebreak---                                            -4-
                                  Proposal for a
                                 COUNCIL DECISION
concerning   the conclusion of   a Cooperation   Agreement  between  the European
Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden on a research and technological
development programme in the fields of renewable raw materials:       forestry and
wood products (including cork), "FOREST" and the recycling of waste, "REWARD".
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 89/626/EEC (4), the Council adopted a specific research and
technological development programme in the fields of raw materials and recycling
(1990-1992); whereas Article 8 of this Decision authorises the Commission to
negotiate agreements with specified third countries, including those European
countries having concluded framework agreements for scientific and technical
cooperation with the Community, with a view to associating them wholly or partly
with the programme;
WHEREAS by Decision 87/177/EEC (5), the Council approved       the conclusion, on
behalf of   the European Economic Community, of     the Framework Agreements for
scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities and, among
others, the Kingdom of Sweden;
WHEREAS the Government of Sweden has asked to participate in two subprogrammes of
the above mentioned Community research programme, relating to both forestry and
wood products (including cork) as a renewable raw material       (FOREST) and the
recycling of waste (REWARD);
(1) O.J. N* C
(2) O.J. N- C
(3) O.J. N* C
(4) O.J. N* L 359, 8.12.1989, p. 16.
(5) O.J. N* L   71, 14.03.1987, p. 29.
 ---pagebreak---                                            -s-
WHEREAS   the  Community   and  Sweden  expect  to   obtain  mutual  benefit  from
coopérât ion,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS :
                                     Article 1
The Coopérât ion Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom
of Sweden on the research and technological development programme in the fields
of renewable raw materials and recycling     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 CounciI
                                                 The President
 ---pagebreak---                               0  —
                 COOPERATION AGREEMENT
        BETWEEN THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
               AND THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN
       ON RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENT
IN THE FIELDS OF RENEWABLE RAW MATERIALS AND RECYCLING:
 FORESTRY AND WOOD PRODUCTS (INCLUDING CORK) (FOREST)
          AND THE RECYCLING OF WASTE (REWARD)
 ---pagebreak--- THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, hereinafter                        called   "the Community"
and
"THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN", hereinafter                called    "Sweden"
both hereinafter       called    the "ContractIng         Parties"
WHEREAS the Community              and Sweden       concluded       a Framework Agreement          for
scientific       and technical      cooperation     which entered        Into force on 27 August
1987;
WHEREAS, by Decision            of 20 November 1989, the Council                  of the European
Communities, hereinafter           called "the Council",         adopted a RTD programme in the
fields    of raw materials        and recycling      (1990-1992),       which Includes Inter       alia
two subprogrammes relating              to both forestry         and wood products         (Including
cork)    as a renewable          raw material        (FOREST) and the recycling           of waste
(REWARD), hereinafter         called "the Community subprogrammes";
WHEREAS the association             of Sweden with the Community subprogrammes can help
to Improve the efficacy              of the research         carried     out by the Contract Ing
Parties     in the fields      of forestry,       wood products and the recycling          of waste
and can avoid the useless duplIcatlon               of     efforts;
WHEREAS       the ongoing talks,        relating    to a European Economic Area, between the
Community      and the EFTA countries          are likely     to lead to a result      In the area
of R & D,      the Contracting      Parties should endeavour to find solutions               for the
continued       cooperation     In the field        of R & D In the raw materials                 and
recycling     sector which take this development Into considérât Ion;
WHEREAS the Community and Sweden expect                       to obtain      mutual  benefit     from
Sweden's association        with the Community subprogrammes.
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS :
 ---pagebreak---                                                    ARTICLE 1
Sweden Is hereby associated               as from 20 November 1989 with the Implement at Ion
of the Community subprogrammes as set out In Annex A. The Implement at Ion of
 the subprogrammes and the Community's                   rate of financial            part Ici pat Ion are set
out In Annex B.
                                                   ARTICLE 2
The financial        contribution        of Sweden, deriving            from Its associât Ion with                  the
 Implementation         of   the Community subprogrammes,                     shall      be establ/shed               In
proportion      to the amount available                each year In the general                   budget of         the
European       Communities         for      appropriations          covering         commitments           to     meet
financial       obi/gâtions         of     the    Commission         of     the     European           Communities,
hereinafter       referred       to as "the           Commission",         resulting        from work to be
carried     out In the framework of shared-cost                    research       contracts        necessary        for
 the implement at Ion of the Community subprogrammes                            and from management and
administrâtIve        operating      expenditure       for the said           subprogrammes.
The proportional         Ity factor      governing      Sweden's contribution               shall     be      obtained
by establIshlng          the ratio      between Sweden'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 Sweden.                          This     ratio      shall      be
calculated      on the basis           of the latest          available         statistical         data of         the
Organisation       for Economic Cooperation              and Development           (OECD).
The funds estimated            as necessary         to  carry     out     the Community            subprogrammes,
the amount of Sweden's contribution                       and    the     timetable        of the        commitment
estimates     are set out in Annex C.
The rules     governing      Sweden's       financial     contribution         are set      out    In Annex D.
                                                   ARTICLE 3
    For the purposes of the Agreement, a Coopérât Ion Committee to assist                                        the
    Commission        In    the     Implement at Ion of           the      research       and          technological
    development        subprogrammes          In the fields         of renewable           raw materials           and
    recycling      (1990-1992),        adopted by Decision            of the Council           of the European
    Communities        of 20 November 1989(J),                 hereinafter           referred        to as         "the
    Committee",       Is hereby          establ/shed.
    The Committee shall           consist      of representatives           of the Community and
    Sweden.
(1)  Council     Decision       89/626/EEC.
 ---pagebreak--- 3.   The Committee shall        be consulted     on all    the matters    concerning   the
     Implementation       of the Agreement.       For this    purpose,    It  shall make
     recommendat Ions.
4.   The representative      of the Community shall take the appropriate         steps to
     ensure coord InatIon between the Implement at Ion of this Agreement and the
     decisions taken by the Community In respect of the Implement at Ion of the
     Commun Ity subprogrammes.
5.   For the purpose of the proper Implementation               of the Agreement, the
     Contracting     Parties   shall exchange Information      and, at the request of
     either Party, shall hold consultations         within the Committee.
6.   The Committee shall adopt Its own rules of procedure and It shall meet,
     at the request of either          Contracting     Party,  In accordance with      the
     conditions    to be laid down In Its rules of procedure.
                                        miaç 4
For Swedish 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 Community
subprogrammes shall be limited to those arising from contracts under the same
subprogrammes. In particular,        the general provisions      appl icable to research
contracts within the Community shall apply subject to this article,                 mutatis
mutandis, to research contracts with Swedish research and development bodies
and persons as far as questions relating           to taxation and customs duties and
the utilization     of research results are concerned.
                                        ARTICLE S
The Commission shall send to Sweden a copy of the reports establ I shed in
accordance with Article       4 of the above mentioned Decision of the Council of
the European Communities.
 ---pagebreak---                                             - 'JO -
                                           Article e
Each Contracting Party undertakes,            In accordance with their respective            rules
and regulations,       to fad IItate    the movement and residence of research workers
participating       In Sweden and In the Community In the activities                  covered by
this Agreement.
                                           Article 7
The Commission, the Swedish National               Board for Industrial         and Technical
Development (for subprogrammes "FOREST" and "REWARD") and the Swedish Council
for Forestry and Agricultural          Research (for subprogramme "FOREST" only)               shall
ensure the Implementation of this Agreement.
                                           Article   g
Annexes A,B,C and D to this         Agreement shall     be an Integral    part      thereof
                                           Article   9
1.   This Agreement shall         be concluded      for   the   duration    of   the Community
     subprogrammes.
     Should the Community revise the Community subprogrammes, the Agreement
     may be denounced under mutually              agreed conditions.         Sweden shall       be
     notified     of the exact content of the revised subprogrammes within one
     week of Its adoption by the Community. The Contract Ing Parties                         shall
     notify    each other within three months after the Community decision has
     been adopted If a terminât Ion of the Agreement Is envisaged.
2.   Where the Community adopts a new R&D                     programme In the fields           of
     forestry,     wood products and/or the recycling of waste, 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 .
 ---pagebreak---                                                 H-
                                        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 Contract Ing Parties           notify
each other of the completion of the procedures necessary for this          purpose.
                                       Article 11
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 Sweden.
                                       Article n
This Agreement shall be drawn up In duplicate         In the Danish, Dutch,    English,
French,    German, Greek,   Italian,    Portuguese and Spanish languages,     each of
these texts being equally        authentic.
For the European                                 For the Kingdom of Sweden
Economic Community
 ---pagebreak---                                    - t f
                                                                                     ANNEX A
                          COMMUNITY SUBPROGRAMMES IN THE FIELD
              OF RENEWABLE RAW MATERIALS AND RECYCLING (1990-1992)
The Community subprogrammes         shall   cover   the   following      research        areas,
                                                Indicative      allocation        of   funds
                                                                (ECU        million)
A.    RENEWABLE RAW MATERIALS : FORESTRY AND
      WOOD PRODUCTS (INCLUDING CORK) ("FOREST")
1.    Forest resources                                                   4
1.1   Tree     Improvement
1.2   PIannIng and management
1.3   Forest        protection
2.    Wood and cork technologies                                         4
2.1   Qua IIty     assessment
2.2   Processing        technology
3.    Pulp and paper manufacturing                                       4
3.1    Improvement In pulping         and    bleaching
3.2    Improvement of paper manufacture            and     coating
                                                                Total~Ï2
B.    RECYCLING OF WASTE ("REWARD")
1.    Sampling, analysis         and classification       of    waste;
      waste statistics                                                   1
1.1   Household     and urban waste
1.2    Industrial      waste
1.3   Emissions     and residues      from waste       processing
2.    Recycling     technologies                                         4
2.1   Separation      and    recovery
2.2   Upgrading and use of reclaimed              products
2.3   Product ion of        chemicals
2.4   Prevention      of emissions      from recycling        processes
2.5   Upgrading of IIgnocelluloslc            waste
      (COST Project       84)
2.6     Composting
3.    Energy production        from waste                                1
3.1   Product Ion and combust ion of         refuse      derived
      fuels     (RDF)
3.2   Pyrolysls     and gaslfloat     Ion
                                                                Total      6
 ---pagebreak---                                      -  /   ^
                                                                                  ANNEX B
                          IMPLEMENTATION OF THE SUBPROGRAMMES AND
                    THE COMMUNITY'S RATE OF FINANCIAL PARTICIPATION
The subprogrammes       shall     be Implemented       by means       of:
(I)     shared-cost     research         contracts,
(II)    concerted      actions,
(III)   coordination          activities,
(Iv)    education    and training         activities    and
(v)     studies    and assessments.
The subprogrammes are              open     to    universities,       research       organ!sat Ions      and
industrial       companies.         Including        small      and     medium-sized            enterprises,
individuals,      or any combination           thereof    establI shed In the Community and In
Sweden.     As a rule,     projects        must be transnational           and at     least   one    partner
In a project     must be establ ished In the Community
For shared-cost       contracts,        the Community participation                 shall   not    normally
exceed 50% of        the    total      expenditure,       but    this     percentage      may be       varied
according     to the nature         and the stage         of development         of   the research.         In
respect    of   universities        and research         InstItutes       carrying      out   projects      In
these   subprogrammes, the Community may bear up to                          100% of      the     additional
expenditure       Involved.
 ---pagebreak---                                               /v                                               ANNEX C
                                            FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
1.    According         to the Council            Decision     adopting      the FOREST and REWARD
      subprogrammes, the amount estimated                      as necessary        to carry       out     these
      Community subprogrammes shall be 12,000,000 ecus for FOREST and                                 6,000,000
      ecus for REWARD.
2.    Sweden's financial             contributions       for Its association           to the Community
      subprogrammes are estimated                  to be 454,534 ecus for FOREST and 227,267
      ecus      for      REWARD and shall             be added,        along    with      other        possible
      contributions           from third countries,          to the above mentioned amounts, as
      foreseen In Article            2 of this       Agreement.
3.    The Indicative           timetable     for the committment appropriations              of the FOREST
      and REWARD subprogrammes and Sweden's contribution                          are as      follows:
 FOREST                                                                                                         (ECU)
 Community Committments                      1990               1991               1992                 TOTAL
     Management and
     Administration                        456,000             510,000           490,000          1,456,000
     Operations
     Contracts                            2,644,000         6,090,000          1,810,000        10,544,000
     TOTAL                                3,100,000         6,600,000          2,300,000        12,000,000
   Sweden's      contribution
   Management and
   Administration                             17,272            19,318             18,560            55,150
   Operations
   Contracts                                 100,149           230,676             68,559          399,384
   TOTAL                                     117.421           249,994             87,119          454,534
 REVARD
 Community Committments                      1990               7997               1992                TOTAL
     Management and
     Administration                        210.000             230,000           220,000            660,000
     Operations
     Contracts                           1,490,000          2,570,000          1,280,000          5,340,000
     TOTAL                               1,700,000          2,800,000          1,500,000          6,000,000
   Sweden's      contribution
   Management and
   Administration                             7,954              8,712              8,333           24,999
   Operations
   Contracts                                56,438              97,346            48,484           202,268
   TOTAL                                    64,392            106,058             56,877           227.267
 ---pagebreak---                                                             ANNEX D
                                                     FINANCING RULES
    The     Annex         lays     down      the     detailed            rules        governing           Sweden's              financial
    contribution            referred        to   In Article            2 of       the      Agreement.
2.  At    the     beginning          of    each     year,      or      whenever           the    Community           subprogrammes
    are     revised         so     as    to    Involve        an      Increase           In    the     amount        estimated          as
    necessary          for     Its     implement at ion,            the      Commission           shall      send      to   Sweden a
    call      for    funds       corresponding            to    its     contribution              to    the    costs       under       the
    Agreement.
    This      contribution             shall     be expressed                 both      In    ecus      and      In    the      Swedish
    currency,          the composition             of    the ecu being                defined        in Council              Regulation
                                     1
    (EEC)        No.     3180/78( >,           as    amended by               Regulation           (EEC)       No.          1971/89(2).
    The     value        In     Swedish        currency          of      the       contribution            In     ecus      shall       be
    determined          on the date          of    the call          for       funds.
    Sweden         shall      pay Its       contribution             to the annual              cost     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 Sweden           at   a rate        equal       to
    the highest            discount        rate     obtained          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.
    Travel        costs      of    Swedish         representatives                  and experts           arising        from        their
    participation              In    the    work     of    the     Committee            referred         to    In Article           3 of
     the    Agreement           shall      be reimbursed              by the          Commission          In    accordance            with
     the procedures              currently        In force          for      the     représentât         Ives     and experts           of
     the Member States                of   the Community and,                   In particular,             in accordance              with
                                                                                3
    Decision         no.     84/338/EURATOM, ECSC,                      EEC( ).
(1) OJ No L 379,                  30.12.1978,P.1.
(2) OJ No L 189, 04.07.1989,                     P. 1.
(3)  OJ No L 177, 04.07.1984,                    P. 25.
 ---pagebreak---    The   funds    paid   by    Sweden shalI     be  credited     to     the    Community
   subprogrammes as budget receipts      allocated  to Its   appropriate      heading   In
   the   statement    of  revenue    of  the   general    budget    of    the   European
   Communities.
4. The Financial   Regulation   In force appiIcable    to the general     budget of    the
   European Communities shall     apply to the management of the           appropriations.
5. At the end of each year, a statement of appropriations           for the Community
   subprogrammes shall        be   prepared    and   transmitted       to   Sweden     for
   information.
 ---pagebreak---                                                                      ISSN 0254-1475
                                                              C0M(91) 402 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
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                                Catalogue number : CB-CO-91-506-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92-77-77492-4
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