CELEX: 51990PC0025
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 REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA ON A EUROPEAN STIMULATION PLAN FOR ECONOMIC SCIENCE ( SPES )

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES
                                          C0M(90) 25  final  - SYN 248
                                          Brussels, 10 May 1990
                               Proposal for a
                              COUNCIL DECISION
 concerning the conclusion of a Cooperation Agreement between the European
 Economic Community and the Republic of Austria on a European Stimulation Plan
 for Economic Science (SPES)
                       (presented by the 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 Republic of Austria on a European Stimulation Plan for Economic
           Science (SPES)
    3y 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.
2.  In the context of the implementation of the Framework Agreement        for
    scientific and technical cooperation between the European Communities  and
    the Republic of Austria, the conclusion of which on behalf of the EEC  was
    approved by the Council Decision of 9 February 1987, Austria           has
    expressed an interest in cooperating in the implementation of          the
    above-mentioned programme.
3.  Considering that the association of Austria 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 Austria.
    The draft agreement, which is annexed to the attached proposal for a
    Council decision, provides for:
       the association of Austria with the implementation of the Community
       programme;
       a financial contribution from Austria 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 Austria's
       gross domestic product;
        the entitlement of Austrian persons and research bodies to submit
       research proposals and to conclude the related research contracts with
       the Commission.
                                                                               DC
 ---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 Austria's
   financial contribution.
   The funds paid by Austria 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 Republic of Austria 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 89/118/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
franework   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
                                                                                 K
 ---pagebreak---                                           5 -
'JrîE.'JEAS 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,
amono others, the Republic of Austria,
WHEREAS the cooperation Agreement between the European Economic Community and
the Republic of Austria 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
Republic of Austria 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 st ....
                                                             For the Council
                                                             The President
(1)     O.J. N 0 L  71, 14.03.19U7, p. 29
 ---pagebreak---      COOPERATION AGREEMENT
            8ETWEEN
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
              AND
    THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA
               ON
  A EUROPEAN STIMULATION PLAN
  FOR ECONOMIC SCIENCE (SPES)
 ---pagebreak---  ---pagebreak---                                     - 2 -
                            COOPERATION AGREEMENT
                                   BETWEEN
                       THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY
                                     AND
                           THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA
                                      ON
                         A EUROPEAN STIMULATION PLAN
                         FOR ECONOMIC SCIENCE (SPES)
THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC COMMUNITY, hereinafter called "the Community",
and
THE REPUBLIC OF AUSTRIA, hereinafter called "Austria",
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 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 30 July
1987;
WHEREAS the association of Austria 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
Austria's association with the SPES Programme;
HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS
                                                                              >
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 3-
Article 1
Austria 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 Austria, 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 Austria's contribution shall be given by
the ratio between Austria'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 Austria. 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 Austria's contribution and the timetable of the commitment
estimates are set out in Annex B.
The rules governing Austria's financial contribution to the execution of the
SPES Programme are set out in Annex C.
Article 3
For Austrian 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 Austrian 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
by suggestions for changes which may be necessary           in the light of
                                                                              3
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 4 -
these results.   A copy of that report shall be transmitted to Austria which,
in addition shall be informed of any possible suggestions for changes.
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 Austria and in the Community in the activities covered by
this agreement.
Article 6
The Commission and the Austrian Federal Ministry for Science and Research
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 Republic of Austria.
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. Austria 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.
                                                                              >9
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 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 and Spanish languages, each of
these texts being equally authentic.
Done at
                                                  For the Council of the
                                                  European Communities
                                                  For the Republic of Austria
                                                                              ^o
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 6 -
                                    ANNEX A
           OBJECTIVES AND SUMMARY OF THE EUROPEAN PLAN TO STIMULATE
                    ECONOMIC SCIENCE (1989 - 1992) (SPES)
1. 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.
2. 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.
   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.
                                                                                JA
 ---pagebreak---                                     - 7 -
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.
                                                                             JZ
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 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 ?
Austria's financial contribution for the execution of the SPES Programme is
estimated to be 160 800 Ecu.
Article 3
The timetable of the commitment estimates       and of  Austria's financial
contribution is given in the following page.
                                                                          M
 ---pagebreak---                              - 9 -
                                TIMETABLE OF THE COMMITMENTS ESTIMATED AS
                                  NECESSARY FOR THE EXECUTION OF THE SPES
                                    PROGRAMME (COMMITMENT APPROPRIATIONS)
                                    AND OF AUSTRIA'S CONTRIBUTION (ECU)
|       j                COMMITMENTS FOR                    |              AUSTRIA'S CONTRIBUTION           |
| YEAR  j MANAGEMENT AND  |                  |              | MANAGEMENT AND   |             |             |
I       j ADMINISTRATIVE  |   CONTRACTS     |     TOTAL     | ADMINISTRATIVE   | CONTRACTS   |     TOTAL   |
|       I   OPERATION     |                  I              I    OPERATION     |             |             |
I 1989  |      170 000    |      830 000    |  1 000 000    |       4 556      |    22 244   |     26 800  |
j 1990  |      260 000    I   1 740 000     |  2 000 000    |       6 968      |    46 632   |     53 600 |
| 1991  |      300 000    |   1 700 000      |  2 000 000   |       8 040      |    45 560   |     53 600  |
| 1992  |      320 000    |      680 000     |  1 000 000   |       8 576      |    18 224   |     26 800  I
i ^ ^   I    1 050 000    |   4 950 000     |  6 000 000    |      28 140      |   132 660   |   160 800  I
  TOTAL                                                                                 i        l        l
 ---pagebreak---                                      - 10 -
                                    ANNEX C
                               FINANCING RULES
Article 1
These provisions lay down the financing     rules for Austria 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 Austria 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 Austrian
currency, the composition of the Ecu being defined in the Council Regulation
3180/78 (1). The value in Austrian currency of the contrioution in Ecu shall
be determined on the dote of the call for funds.
Austria 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 Austria 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 Austria shall be credited to the SPES Programme as budget
receipts allocated to its appropriate heading in the statement of revenue of
the oeneral budget of the European Communities.
Artie 1° 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, n statement of appropriations for the SPES Programme
shall be prepared and transmitted to Austria for information.
(1)   0J ÏTL 379 of 30.12.1978, p.1
                                                                            JS
 ---pagebreak---                 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 l'Autriche 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) 25 final
                                                      DOCUMENTS
EN                                                                     17 11 16
                                 Catalogue number : CB-CO-90-049-EN-C
                                                             ISBN 92 77 57233 7
Office for Official Publications of the European Communities
L-2985 Luxembourg