CELEX: 51989PC0265
Language: en
Date: 1989-05-24
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 PROGRAMME PLAN TO STIMULATE THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERCHANGE NEEDED BY EUROPEAN RESEARCH SCIENTISTS ( SCIENCE )

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                          C0MC89) 265 final - SYN 196
                                         Brussels, 24 May 1989
                   COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION
                             Proposal for a
                            COUNCIL DECISION
   concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the
      European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway on a
      programme plan to stimulate the international cooperation
        and interchange needed by European research scientists
                                (SCIENCE)
 ---pagebreak---                                      • 2 -
                                                                    G?*** icff'
               COHHUNICATION FROft THE COfWISSION
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 programme plan to stimulate the
          international cooperation and interchange needed by the European
          research scientists (SCIENCE).
1.  By its Decision of 29 June 1988, the Council adopted a programme plan to
    stimulate the international cooperation and interchange needed by
    European research scientists (SCIENCE, 1988 to 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 plan.
2.  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 plan.
3.  Considering that the association of Norway with the implementation of the
    Community programme plan 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 plan;     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;
    -  the enlargement of the Committee for the European development of
       science and technology (CODEST) to include a Norwegian representative.
 ---pagebreak---                                    - 3 -
5. In view of the nature of the cooperation, any additional expenditure paid
   from the Community budget (relevant budget heading 7381) 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).
6. 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 programme plan to stimulate
the international cooperation and interchange needed by European research
scientists (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 88/419/EEC (4),    the Council adopted a programme plan to
stimulate the international cooperation and interchange needed by European
research scientists (SCIENCE,    1988 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
plan.
(1)  O.J. N° C
(2)  O.J. N° C
(3)  O.J. N° C
(4)  O.J. N° L 206, 30.07.1988, p. 34
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 5 -
WHEREAS by Decision 87/177/EEC (1),    the Council approved the conclusion on
behalf of the European Economic Community of the 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 programme plan to stimulate the international
cooperation and interchange needed by European research scientists (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  programme  plan  to   stimulate  the  international
cooperation and interchange needed by European research scientists (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 11 of the Agreement.
Article 3
The  present  Decision  shall  enter  into  force   on  the day  following   its
publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.
Done at ....
                                                            For the Council
                                                            The President
(1)  O.J. N° L  71, 14.03.1987, p. 29
 ---pagebreak---                           - 6 -
                  COOPERATION AGREEMENT
                         BETWEEN
             THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
                           AND
                  THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY
                            ON
              A PROGRAMME PLAN TO STIMULATE
THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERCHANGE NEEDED BY
         EUROPEAN RESEARCH SCIENTISTS (SCIENCE)
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 7 -
                             COOPERATION AGREEMENT
                                    BETWEEN
                       THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
                                      AND
                             THE KINGDOM OF NORWAY
                                       ON
                        A PROGRAMME PLAN TO STIMULATE
           THE INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION AND INTERCHANGE NEEDED BY
                    EUROPEAN RESEARCH SCIENTISTS (SCIENCE)
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 29 June 1988, the Council of the         European
Communities, hereinafter called "the Council", adopted a programme plan to
stimulate the international cooperation and interchange needed by European
research scientists, - 1988 to 1992 - (SCIENCE),    hereinafter called "the
Stimulation Plan";
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 Stimulation Plan can help to
improve the efficacy of Europe's scientific and technical potential;
WHEREAS the Contracting Parties expect to obtain mutual benefit from Norway's
association with the Stimulation Plan;
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 8 -
Article 1
Norway is hereby associated,      as and from 1st July 1989,        with the
implementation of the Stimulation Plan. The summary of the Stimulation Plan
and its objectives are set out in Annex A.
Norway shall take part in a range of measures to promote training and improve
the mobility of research scientists of the Contracting Parties, to develop,
support and promote intra-European scientific and technical cooperation and
interchange networks in all fields relevant to exact and natural sciences.
Article 2
The financial contribution of Norway, deriving from its association with the
implementation of the Stimulation Plan 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
Stimulation Plan and from management and administrative operating expenditure
for the Stimulation Plan.
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 Stimulation Plan,
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
Stimulation Plan are set out 1n 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 Stimulation
Plan 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.
 ---pagebreak---                                      - o -
Article 4
In the implementation of the Stimulation Plan,       the Commission shall be
assisted by the Committee for the European Development of Science and
Technology (CODEST),    set up by Commission Decision 82/835 (1), and by
consultants.
From a list submitted to it by the Norwegian authorities, the Commission
shall appoint a Norwegian delegate to CODEST. He shall participate in the
definition of outline plans for the stimulation of the international
cooperation and interchange needed by European research scientists and in the
examination of applications submitted under the Stimulation Plan.
Article 5
After 30 months from the beginning of the implementation of the Stimulation
Plan,   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 by suggestions for changes which
may be necessary in the tight of these results.     A copy of the report shall
be transmitted to Norway which,      in addition shall be     informed of any
possible suggestions for changes.
Article 6
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 agreement.
Article 7
The Commission and the Royal Norwegian Minsitry for Cultural and Scientific
Affairs shall ensure the implementation of this Agreement.
Article 8
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 9
1.  This agreement is concluded for the duration of the Stimulation Plan.
    Should the Community revise the Stimulation Plan, the agreement may be
    renegotiated or terminated under mutually agreed conditions. Norway
(1> OJ N u L 350 of 10.12.1982, p. 45
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 10 -
     shall be notified of the exact content of the revised plan within one
     week after its adoption by the Community.   The Contracting Parties shall
     notify each other within one month after the Community decision has been
     adopted if a termination of the agreement is envisaged.
 2.  This agreement shall be renewed by tacit agreement when the Community
     adopts a new Stimulation Plan, for the duration of the new plan, unless
     it is terminated by one Contracting Party by written notification to the
     other Contracting Party within one month following the adoption of the
     new plan. The provisions of the second subparagraph of paragraph 1 above
     remain applicable.
3.   Whenever a decision on a Stimulation Plan is taken by the Community,
     Annexes A and B shall be amended in accordance with the Community's
     decision, unless otherwise agreed upon by the Contracting Parties.
4.   This agreement shall not be regarded as having expired merely because
     there is a delay in the adoption of a future Stimulation Plan.
5.   Excepted as provided in paragraphs 1 and 2 of this article, either
     Contracting Party may at any time terminate the agreement with 6 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 the contracts referred to in
    Article 3 of this agreement.
Article 10
The annexes A, B, and C to this Agreement shall be an integral part thereof.
Article 11
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 12
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---                                        - 11 -
                                      ANNEX A
          OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE STIMULATION PLAN (1988 to 1992)
 1.  The Stimulation Plan consists of a range of activities selected on the
     basis of their scientific and technical quality, which have as their aim
     the establishment of a network of scientific and technical cooperation
    and interchange at European level which will gradually be extended.     The
    overall objective is to Improve the efficacy of scientific and
    technological research in all the Member States and to contribute thereby
    to the reduction of scientific and technical disparities between the
    different Member States of the European Community.     It covers all fields
    of science and technology (the exact and natural sciences).
    Whilst the Stimulation Plan therefore aims to improve the overall
    scientific and technical quality of research and development in all
    Member States of the Community, its specific objectives are to:
    -   promote training through research and, by means of cooperation,     the
       better use of high level researchers in the Community,
    -   improve the mobility of research scientists of the Member States of
        the Community,
    -   develop    and   support   intra-European  scientific   and   technical
        cooperation on high quality projects,
    -   promote the setting-up of intra-European cooperation and interchange
        networks with a view to reinforcing the overall scientific and
        technical competitivity of the Community and thereby strengthening its
        economic and social cohesion.
2.  The objectives set out above will be achieved by means of support
    measures for research scientists, teams of research and development
    organisations     to  ensure   the harmonious scientific     and  technical
    development of the Community. These will take the following forms:
    -   Research bursaries
        Financial support granted to scientists to enable them to acquire
        additional training by participating in a research project in a
        laboratory in a Community country other than their own for a period of
        at least one year and at most two years.
    -   Research grants
        These cover the cost to the laboratories concerned of the transfer or
        secondment of a research scientist from one Community country to
        another, either to allow a scientist to be taken on in a team in a
        country other than his own or to enable a science graduate to
        specialise before     joining a university or industrial research
         laboratory.
 ---pagebreak---                                - 12 -
  Depending on the type of scientist and the purpose of the research
  allocation, it may take different forms:
  "  funding to enable a research scientist to make short stays (from 15
     days to 2 months) in a foreign country within the Community to
     carry out specific experiments in a particular scientific or
     technical facility not available in his own country;
     funding to cover the costs associated with mobility (travel,
     subsistence, insurance, removal, etc.), the research work and
     possibly the salary of a scientist seconded to or incorporated in a
     research team in a country (in the Community) other than his own,
     for a period of at least six months and at most three years;
  *  funding to cover the costs associated with the        mobility and
     research work of a scientist taken on in Industry,      who goes to
     follow a lengthy training course (from one to three     years) in a
     public sector laboratory in a foreign country          (within the
     Community);
  *  subsidies for high-level training courses:       financial support
     granted to a body offering a specialised high-level course held
     within a Member State so that it can accept scientists from
     different Community Member States to give them additional training
     or enable them to retrain for other functions.
- Twinning of laboratories in different countries
  This enables researchers who are working in isolation in an advanced
  field in several Community countries to bring their efforts together,
  without coming into one laboratory, and thus encouraging the formation
  of a research team exceeding the necessary "critical size".     Funding
  is granted to allow the researchers to meet,      to carry out joint
  experiments, to exchange results, to add to their equipment or to
  strengthen their teams by temporarily taking on other scientists,
  preferably from a different country.
- Development of multidisciplinary, multinational operations
  This would,    by virtue of the financial resources made available,
  enable the associated research teams to have enough resources
  (including equipment) and be able to bring together the best expertise
  available in different countries and disciplines, in order to achieve
  a pre-determined objective or to undertake jointly a pre-determined
  scientific task in the framework of a S/T cooperation "network".
  In addition,    the Plan will be complemented by sectoral incentive
  measures: research bursaries, research grants and subsidies financed
  in the framework of each of the Community research and development
  programmes following the agreement of the appropriate Management and
  Coordination Committee (CGC).
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 13 -
3. Measures to stimulate interchange and cooperation apply to all fields
   relevant to the exact and natural sciences, such as:
   -   mathematics
   -   physics
   -   chemistry
   -   life sciences
   -   earth sciences and ocean sciences
   -   scientific instrumentation
   -   engineering sciences.
A. In the fields in which support will be granted, multinational projects to
   benefit from the Community support measures will be chosen essentially on
   the    basis    of  their   quality,    the   extent  to  which  they   are
   multidisciplinary in content, their innovative aspects and their value in
   terms of breaking down barriers between different forms of research and
   development in all parts of the Community.            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 Community.
5. The choice of stimulation incentive measures and the teams concerned will
   be made by the Commission which, with the help of the Committee for the
   European Development of Science and Technology (CODEST), will make use of
   a peer review system.        The Commission will see to it that there 1s
   consistency between the stimulation activity and programmed Community
   R S D activities.
6. The Commission will at the same time undertake a series of consultations,
   surveys and seminars with the cooperation of Community scientific and
   technical circles in order to analyse and evaluate scientific and
   technical needs and opportunities, with the aim of providing more detail
   to the content of the Stimulation Plan.
   The Commission will cooperate closely with the national authorities to
   ensure consistency between these activities and national policies on
   research stimulation.
7. In order to evaluate the scientific and/or technical quality of requests
   for support, as well as to analyse scientific and technical opportunities
   and needs or to assess projects which have been financed or the actiity
   itself, the Commission may call upon expertise from outside its own
   staff.
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 14 -
                                   ANNEX B
                             FINANCIAL PROVISIONS
Article 1
The funds estimated as necessary for the execution of the Stimulation Plan
amount to 167,000,000 Ecu.
Article 2
Norway's financial contribution to the execution of the Stimulation Plan is
estimated to be 2,394,810 ECU.
Article 3
The timetable of . the commitment estimates       and of Norway's  financial
contribution is given in the following page.
 ---pagebreak---                                 - 15 -
                                   TIMETABLE OF THE COMMITMENTS ESTIMATED AS
                                 NECESSARY FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE STIMULATION
                                         PLAN (COMMITMENT APPROPRIATIONS)
                                        AND OF NORWAY*S CONTRIBUTION (ECU)
|         |                  COMMITMENTS FOR                   |              NORWAY'S CONTRIBUTION           |
| YEAR    | MANAGEMENT AND    j                |               | MANAGEMENT AND    |             |            |
|         | ADMINISTRATIVE    I   CONTRACTS    j     TOTAL     | ADMINISTRATIVE    | CONTRACTS   |   TOTAL    |
|         |   OPERATION       j                j               j    OPERATION      j             j            j
| 1988    |     220,000       |   28,780,000   I   29,000,000  |         -         I       -     I      -     I
| 1989    |   1,930,000       |   28,070,000   |   30,000,000  |       18,778*     |    273,262* I   292,050* |
I 1990   |    2,120,000       |   32,880,000   |   35,000,000  |       41,276      |    640,174  |   681,450 (
| 1991    |   2,250,000       I   32,750,000   I   35,000,000  I       43,808      I    637,642  |   681,450 I
| 1992    |   2,380,000       I   35,620,000   I   38,000,000  I       46,339      I    693,521  I   739,860 I
| ®5*JJ   |   8,900,000       | 158,100,000    | 167,000,000   |      150,212      | 2,244,598   | 2,394,810  |
* contribution for the period 1st July to 31st December 1989
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 16 -
                                    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 Stimulation Plan 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 Ecuc 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 in force 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 Stimulation Plan 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
The travel and susbistence costs of the Norwegian delegate to CODEST deriving
from his participation in the meetings of this committee, shall be reimbursed
by the Commission in accordance with the procedures currently in force for
the delegates of the Member States of the Community.
Article 6
At the end of each year, a statement of appropriations for the Stimulation
Plan shall be prepared and transmitted to Norway for information.
(1) OJ N u L 379 of 50.12.1978, p.1
 ---pagebreak---                                                                              ^» T
               FICHE D'IMPACT SUR LA COMPETITIVITE ET L'EMPLOI
Ce projet a trait â une décision du Conseil concernant la conclusion d'un
accord de coopération entre la CEE et la Norvège relatif au plan de
stimulation des coopérations internationales et des échanges nécessaires aux
chercheurs européens (1988-1992) (SCIENCE).
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
è l'échange d'expériences.
 ---pagebreak--- Commission of the European Communities
                                                                     .\
COM(89) 265 final
Communication from the
COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
and proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the
European Economic Community and the Kingdom of Norway on a
programme plan to stimulate the international cooperation and inter-
change needed by European research scientists (Science)
24.5.1989
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
L - 2985 Luxembourg
Series: DOCUMENTS
1989 — 17 pp. — Format: 21.0 * 29.7 cm
                                                                         3
EN
ISSN 0254-1475
ISBN 92-77-50022-0
Catalogue number: CB-CO-89-205-EN-C
                                                                      'V-J
                                                                        r^
 ---pagebreak---                                           ISSN 0254-1475
COM(89) 265 final
DOCUMENTS
Communication from the
COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
and proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation
Agreement between the European Economic
Community and the Kingdom of Norway on a
programme plan to stimulate the international
cooperation and interchange needed by
European research scientists (Science)
 11     16                               24.5.1989
Catalogue number: CB-CO-89-205-EN-C
ISBN 92-77-50022-0
€
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES