CELEX: 51988PC0022
Language: en
Date: 1988-02-03
Title: Proposal for a COUNCIL DECISION concerning the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden on research in the field of wood, including cork, as a renewable raw material (submitted by the Commission)

ARCHIVES HISTORIQUES
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DOCUMENTS "COM"
COM (88) 22
Vol. 1988/0005
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 ---pagebreak---    COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
i
                                                    COM(88 ) 22 final
                                                    Brussels , 3 February 1988
                                                                               / <
                                   Proposai for a
                                  COUNCIL DECISION
  concerning the conclusion of the Cooperation Agreement between the European
   Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden ; on research in the field of
               wood , including cork , as a renewable raw material
                          ( submitted by the Commission )
                     If                    If
                              m'üm
 ---pagebreak---                   COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
Subject :   Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion of the
            Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and
            the Kingdom of Sweden on research in the field of wood, including
            cork , as a renewable raw material .
1.  Pursuant to the Council Decision of 14 June 1983, Sweden and the Community
    cooperated for a period up to 31 December 1985 on research and development
    in the field of wood as a renewable raw material .           This cooperation,
    proved profitable to both parties .
2.  By its decision of 10 June 1986,     the Council adopted a research programme
    on    materials   ( raw materials and  advanced   materials  -  1986-89 ) which
    includes a subprogramme on wood,        including cork ,   as a renewable raw
    material .
    Article 6 of this Decision authorizes the Commission to negotiate
    agreements with third States , in particular those involved in European
    Cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research ( COST), with
    a view to associating them wholly or partly with this programme .
3.  Comprehensive research programmes in the field of forest and forest
    products are carried out in Sweden .      These programmes include biological ,
    technological and economic aspects , and are financed both by public and
    private bodies .
4.  In the context of the Framework Agreement for scientific and technical
    coopertion between the European Communities and the Kingdom of Sweden, the
    conclusion of which on behalf of the Community was approved by Council
    Decision of 9 February 1987, Sweden has expressed an interest in
    continuing to cooperate on research in the field of wood .
5.  Bearing in mind the technical and scientific importance and size of the
    Swedish programmes , and the favourable attitude expressed on 30 June 1986
    by the competent CGC regarding cooperation with Sweden in the field of
    wood , the Commission has negotiated a draft agreement to cooperate with
    Sweden in the research areas covered by the above mentioned Community
    programme .
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 3 -
6. The draft agreement , which is annexed to the attached proposal for a
   Council decision , provides for :
   -  the association of Sweden with the implementation of the Community
      programme ;
   -  a financial contribution from Sweden for the funding of the work to be
      carried out in the framework of shared cost research contracts and of
      the management and administrative operating expenditures for the
      Community programme ; this financial contribution is proportional to
      Sweden 's gross domestic product ;
   -  the entitlement of Swedish persons and undertakings to submit research
      proposals and to conclude the related research contracts with the
      Commi ssion ;
   -  the enlargement of the Management and Coordination Advisory Committee
      " Raw materials and other materials " to include Swedish representatives .
7. The Commission proposes that the Council adopt the attached proposal for a
   decision .
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 4 -
                                    Proposai for a
                                   COUNCIL DECISION
concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the European
Economic Community and the Kingdom of Sweden on research in the field of
wood , including cork , as a renewable raw material .
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES ,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community,    and
in particular Article 235 thereof ,
Having regard to the proposal submitted by the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament ,
Whereas by its Decision 86/ 235 / EEC ( 1 ), the Council adopted a research
programme ( 1986 to 1989 ) on materials ( raw materials and advanced materials )
which includes a subprogramme on wood , including cork , as a renewable raw
material ; whereas Article 6 of that Decision authorises the Commission to
negotiate agreements with third States , in particular those involved in
European cooperation in the field of scientific and technical research ( COST ),
with a view to associating them fully or partly with this programme,
Whereas by Decision 87 / 177 / EEC ( 2 ), 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 Sweden ,
Whereas the present Agreement should be approved ,
Whereas the Treaty does not provide the necessary powers ,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS :                      \
(T) O.J. N" L 159, 14 / 6/ 86, p. 36
(2)   O.J. N° L 71 , 14 / 3/ 87, p. 29
 ---pagebreak---                                     Article 1
The Cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and the
Kingdom of Sweden on research in the field of wood , including cork , as a
renewable raw material , 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 give the notification provided for in
Article 10 of the Agreement ( 3 ).
Done at
                                                   For the Council
                                                   The President
( 35 The date of entry into force af the Agreement will be published in the
     Official Journal of the European Communities by the General Secretariat
     of the Council .
 ---pagebreak---                         - 6 -
               COOPERATION AGREEMENT
                      BETWEEN
          THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
                         AND
               THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN
                          ON
              RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF
WOOD , INCLUDING CORK, AS A RENEWABLE RAW MATERIAL
 ---pagebreak---                                          - 7 -
                              COOPERATION AGREEMENT
                                      BETWEEN
                         THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
                                         AND
                              THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN
                                          ON
                             RESEARCH IN THE FIELD OF
               WOOD , INCLUDING CORK , AS A RENEWABLE RAW MATERIAL
THE EUROPEAN      ECONOMIC   COMMUNITY ,     hereinafter    referred   to   as  " the
Community ",
and
THE KINGDOM OF SWEDEN , hereinafter referred to as " Sweden ",
both hereinafter referred to as 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 10 June 1986, the Council of the European
Communities , hereinafter referred to as " the Council ", adopted, for a
period of four years from 1 January 1986, a programme in the sector of
materials     ( raw materials and advanced materials ), which includes a
subprogramme relating to wood, including cork , as a renewable raw material ,
hereinafter referred to as " the Community programme ";
WHEREAS , in pursuance of Council decision of 14 June           1983 Sweden and the
Community cooperated for a period extending until 31            December 1985 in a
European research and development programme in the             field of wood as a
renewable raw material and considering that the                Contracting Parties
obtained mutual benefit from that cooperation ;
WHEREAS   comprehensive    forest  and    forest   products   research   programmes ,
taking into account biological , technological and economic factors , are
carried out in Sweden , financed by, among others ,            the Swedish National
Board for Technical Development , the Swedish Council for Forestry and
Agricultural Research and the Swedish forest products industry ;
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 8 -
WHEREAS the association of Sweden with the Community programme can help to
improve the efficacy of the research carried out by the Contracting Parties
in the field of wood , including cork , as a renewable raw material and can
avoid the useless duplication of efforts ;
WHEREAS the Contracting Parties expect to derive mutual benefit          from
Sweden 's association with the Community programme ;
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS :
Article 1
Sweden is hereby associated with the implementation of the Community
programme as set out in Annex A.
Article 2
The financial contribution of Sweden deriving from its association with the
implementation of the Community 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 shared cost research contracts necessary to
the implementation of the Community programme and from management and
administrative operating expenditures for the Community programme .
The proportionality factor governing Sweden 's contribution shall be given
by 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 OECD statistic data .
The amount estimated as necessary to carry out the Community programme, the
amount of Sweden 's contribution     and  the  timetable of  the  commitment
estimates are set out in Annex B.
The provisions and rules governing Sweden 's financial contribution are set
out in Annex C.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 9 -
Article 3
For Swedish persons and undertakings ,     the terms and conditions for the
submission and the evaluation of research proposals and the terms and
conditions for the granting and conclusion of contracts under the Community
programme shall be the same as those applicable to persons and undertakings
in the Community .   In particular , the provisions of the General Terms and
Conditions applicable to research contracts within the Community shall
apply, mutatis mutandis , to research contracts with Swedish persons and
undertakings as far as questions relating to taxation and customs duties
and the utilization of research results are concerned .
Article 4
The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Community
programme .    It shall be assisted by the Management and Coordination
Advisory Committee on " Raw Materials and Other Materials ", hereinafter
referred to as " the Committee ", set up by the Council Decision n° 84 / 338
( 1 ).
The Committee shall be enlarged to include representatives or experts
designated by Sweden not exceeding three in number . They shall participate
solely in the work of the Committee which meets in its variable
configuration to accomplish the tasks concerning the Community programme on
wood, including cork , as a renewable raw material . Travel costs of Swedish
representatives deriving from their participation in the work of the
Committee shall be reimbursed by the Commission .
Article 5
Persons participating in Sweden and in the Community in the activities
covered by this agreement shall obtain from the competent authorities the
permits and authorizations necessary for their work .
Article 6
The implementation of this agreement on behalf of the Community shall be
ensured by the Commission .
(T)    O.J. L 177 of 4.7.1984 p.25
 ---pagebreak---                                   - 10 -
Artide 7
This agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which
the Treaty establishing the Community is applied and under the conditions
laid down in that Treaty and, on the other hand, to the territory of the
Kingdom of Sweden .
Article 8
1.    This agreement    is concluded  for the duration of     the Community
      programme .
      Should the Community revise the Community programme , the agreement
      may be terminated in the month following the Community decision .
      The Contracting Party wishing to terminate the agreement shall give
      written notice to the other Contracting Party of its decision .    The
      agreement shall terminate on the date of receipt of the written
      notice by the other Contracting Party .
2.    This agreement shall be renewed by tacit agreement when the Community
      adopts a new Community programme , for the duration of the new
      programme ,   unless it is terminated in the month following the
      adoption of the new programme .
      The provisions of the second subparagraph of paragraph 1 above remain
      applicable .
3.    Whenever a decision on a Community programme is taken by the
      Community , Annexes A and B shall be amended in accordance with the
      Community 's decision .
4.    This agreement shall not be regarded as having expired merely because
      there is a delay in the adoption of a future Community programme .
5.    Excepted as provided in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article , either
      Contracting Party may at any time give written notice to the other
      Contracting Party of its decision to terminate this agreement .    The
      agreement shall terminate six months after the date of receipt of the
      written notice by the other Contracting Party . 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 the agreement , unless otherwise agreed upon .
                                                                             'Ф
 ---pagebreak---                                         11
  Article 9
  The Annexes A , B and C to this agreement shall be an integral part thereof .
  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 have notified 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 , Hellenic , Italian , Portuguese and Spanish
  languages , each of these texts being equally authentic .
  Done at
                                              For the Kingdom of Sweden
                                              For the Council
                                              of the European Communities .
a
 ---pagebreak---                                       - 12 -
                                       ANNEX A
                        COMMUNITY PROGRAMME IN THE FIELD OF
               WOOD / INCLUDING CORK / AS A RENEWABLE RAW MATERIAL
                                   ( 1986 - 1989 )
The following research areas are included in the Community programme :
1.    Wood production
      1.1 .   Forest-tree breeding and gene resource conservation .
      1.2 .  Protection against damage from biotic and abiotic agents and
              fire .
      1.3 .  Better use of land resources ( coordination action only ).
      1.4 .   Forest inventory ( coordination action only ).
2.    Wood harvest , storage and transport
      2.1 . Organization of harvesting operations and            development  of
              harvesting machinery .
      2.2 . Harvesting / treatment / storage and transport .
3.    Wood as a material
      3.1 .  Properties /    protection and improvement of wood and wood-based
             panels .
      3.2 .   Development of testing and grading procedures .
4.    Mechanical wood processing and use of finished wood products
      4.1 . Mechanical conversion and manufacturing processes .
      4.2 . Drying process .
      4.3 .  Use of wood and wood-based materials in construction .
      4.4 .  Other uses of finished products made of wood .
5.    Pulp and paper manufacturing and processing and wood chemicals
      5.1     The physical and organic chemistry of wood defibring .
      5.2 . Chemi-mechanical pulping ( high-yield pulping ).
      5.3 . Pulping processes with low-grade wood .
      5.4 .   Substitutes for wood fibres and material additives .
      5.5 .   Fibre recycling .
      5.6 .   The process of manufacture of paper and board .
      5.7 .   Products derived from wood as a source of chemicals .
The  work   shall    be  carried  out   as  shared-costs contract  research  and
coordination and training activities .
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 13 -
                                      ANNEX B
                               FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
  Article 1
  The amount estimated as necessary to carry out the Community
  programme shall be 10 million ECU .
  Article 2
  The estimated amount of Sweden 's financial contribution shall be
  393,600 ECU .
  Article 3
  The timetable of the commitment estimates and of Sweden 's
  financial contribution is given in the following table .
     YEAR                       COMMITMENTS FOR
                                                                       SWEDEN'S
                                                                     CONTRIBUTION
                MANAGEMENT AND         CONTRACTS          TOTAL
                ADMINISTRATIVE
                  OPERATION
     1986           341,495                0              341,495       13,441
     1987           480,205            7,678,300        8,158,505      321,119
     1988           364,700              685,300        1,050,000       41,328
     1989           380,950               69,050          450,000       17,712
  ========== ==================== ================== ============== ==============
   GRAND          1,567,350            8,432,650       10,000,000       393,600
   TOTAL
                    TIMETABLE OF THE COMMITMENTS ESTIMATED AS
                       NECESSARY TO CARRY OUT THE COMMUNITY
                      PROGRAMME ( COMMITMENT APPROPRIATIONS )
                       AND OF SWEDEN 'S CONTRIBUTION ( ECU ).
Ü
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 14 -
                                      ANNEX C
                                  FINANCING RULES
Article 1
This Annex lays down the provisions and rules governing Sweden 's financial
contribution referred to in Article 2 of the agreement .
Article 2
At the beginning of each year , or whenever the Community programme is revised
so as to involve an increase in the amount estimated as necessary to its
carrying out ,     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 ECU and in the Swedish currency ,
the composition of the ECU being defined in the Council Regulation n° 78/ 3180
( 1 ).   The value of the contribution in ECU shall be determined on the date of
the call for funds .
Sweden 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 Sweden at a rate equal to the highest discount
rate obtaining in the Member States of the Community on the due date .       The
rate shall be increased by 0.25 of a percentage point of 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 Sweden shall be credited to the Community 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 Regulations 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 Community
Programme shall be prepared and transmitted to Sweden for information .
( 1 ) O.J. L379 of 30.12.78 , p.1
 ---pagebreak---                  FICHE D' IMPACT SUR LA COMPETITIVITE ET L' EMPLOI
Ce projet a trait a une décision du Conseil concernant la conclusion d' un
accord de coopération entre la CEE et la Suède relatif à la recherche dans le
domaine du bois ,      y   compris  le  liège , en  tant que matière première
renouvelable .
En tant que tel ,   ce projet peut avoir un impact positif sur les PME , dans la
mesure où i l constitue un instrument facilitant l' accès à la connaissance et
à l' échange d' expériences .
                                                                                 YS