natgillin/translations-raw huggingface dataset:
So this report will examine how far the Treaty remains a suitable legal framework for tightening up the rules in areas that are still neglected – such as the adoption of common standards for safety and radioactive waste management – and whether it can contribute to Europe’s economic competitiveness, its energy independence and its security of supply.
So this report will examine how far the Treaty remains a suitable legal framework for tightening up the rules in areas that are still neglected – such as the adoption of common standards for safety and radioactive waste management – and whether it can contribute to Europe’s economic competitiveness, its energy independence and its security of supply.
I – The Treaty is a proven and balanced framework for developing a competitive nuclear industry.
I – The Treaty is a proven and balanced framework for developing a competitive nuclear industry.
· 50 years of initiatives and ambitious achievements prove the Treaty’s balance and effectiveness.
· 50 years of initiatives and ambitious achievements prove the Treaty’s balance and effectiveness.
– The Treaty has enabled nuclear energy to become a major component in Europe’s energy mix, and is also recognised today as a way of avoiding some 312 million tonnes of CO 2 per year (7 % of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions).
– The Treaty has enabled nuclear energy to become a major component in Europe’s energy mix, and is also recognised today as a way of avoiding some 312 million tonnes of CO 2 per year (7 % of the EU’s total greenhouse gas emissions).
With energy production of nuclear origin of more than 920 TWh in 2005, the EU represents a third of the world’s electronuclear capacity, estimated at 2470 TWh.
With energy production of nuclear origin of more than 920 TWh in 2005, the EU represents a third of the world’s electronuclear capacity, estimated at 2470 TWh.
The Community average amounts to 32 % of electricity of nuclear origin and covers a wide variety of situations: 15 Member States have nuclear power stations, which for some of them are their main source of electricity.
The Community average amounts to 32 % of electricity of nuclear origin and covers a wide variety of situations: 15 Member States have nuclear power stations, which for some of them are their main source of electricity.
The European industry covers all of the fuel cycle, with the development of local technologies (for fuel enrichment, reactor design, and the recycling and processing of spent fuel).
The European industry covers all of the fuel cycle, with the development of local technologies (for fuel enrichment, reactor design, and the recycling and processing of spent fuel).
In the rapporteur’s view this is a conspicuous aspect of the European nuclear landscape, particularly in the context of the current international debate on the cycle’s ‘multilateral approaches’.
In the rapporteur’s view this is a conspicuous aspect of the European nuclear landscape, particularly in the context of the current international debate on the cycle’s ‘multilateral approaches’.
– In the area of research, the incentive effect of the six Euratom JPRD has maintained European research as a world leader, particularly in the field of controlled fusion.
– In the area of research, the incentive effect of the six Euratom JPRD has maintained European research as a world leader, particularly in the field of controlled fusion.
· Many of the Treaty’s provisions are proof of its vitality and adaptability.
· Many of the Treaty’s provisions are proof of its vitality and adaptability.
– A health protection concern that has become a priority
– A health protection concern that has become a priority
The Treaty states that the EAEC should ‘ establish uniform safety standards to protect the health of workers and of the general public and ensure that they are applied ’.
The Treaty states that the EAEC should ‘ establish uniform safety standards to protect the health of workers and of the general public and ensure that they are applied ’.
This chapter has given rise to an abundant body of derived legislation forming the framework for the Member States’ national rules on radiological protection: the adoption of common ‘basic standards’, fixing maximum permissible levels of radioactive contamination for foodstuffs, arrangements for exchanging information and radiological emergency situations, monitoring radioactivity in the environment and the disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear plants, and the protection of aircrews in civil aviation.
This chapter has given rise to an abundant body of derived legislation forming the framework for the Member States’ national rules on radiological protection: the adoption of common ‘basic standards’, fixing maximum permissible levels of radioactive contamination for foodstuffs, arrangements for exchanging information and radiological emergency situations, monitoring radioactivity in the environment and the disposal of radioactive waste from nuclear plants, and the protection of aircrews in civil aviation.
– Monitoring the safety of nuclear materials to complement action by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
– Monitoring the safety of nuclear materials to complement action by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Chapter VII sets up a comprehensive system of controls to ensure that ores and special fissile materials are not diverted from their intended uses as declared by the users.
Chapter VII sets up a comprehensive system of controls to ensure that ores and special fissile materials are not diverted from their intended uses as declared by the users.
This security control, which is based on a system for declaring the accounts for materials held by the operators, is run in conjunction with the Safeguards scheme applied by the IAEA under tripartite agreements concluded with the Member States and the Euratom Community.
This security control, which is based on a system for declaring the accounts for materials held by the operators, is run in conjunction with the Safeguards scheme applied by the IAEA under tripartite agreements concluded with the Member States and the Euratom Community.
As part of the tightening-up of the non-proliferation scheme with the conclusion in 1998 of Additional Protocols to these safeguard agreements, Euratom regularly sends the IAEA accounting records for nuclear materials held by the Member States.
As part of the tightening-up of the non-proliferation scheme with the conclusion in 1998 of Additional Protocols to these safeguard agreements, Euratom regularly sends the IAEA accounting records for nuclear materials held by the Member States.
The rapporteur considers that these two systems have proved their complementary nature, and that if improvements need to be sought they should be sought in a practical way in the sharing of methods for investigation and the conduct of inspections, to avoid any duplication of effort.
The rapporteur considers that these two systems have proved their complementary nature, and that if improvements need to be sought they should be sought in a practical way in the sharing of methods for investigation and the conduct of inspections, to avoid any duplication of effort.
– An intense external policy that has in a pragmatic way compensated for the Treaty’s shortcomings
– An intense external policy that has in a pragmatic way compensated for the Treaty’s shortcomings
Euratom has, within the framework of its powers, developed a substantial network of international agreements:
Euratom has, within the framework of its powers, developed a substantial network of international agreements:
– with international organisations: Euratom has acceded to most of the conventions adopted under the aegis of the IAEA.
– with international organisations: Euratom has acceded to most of the conventions adopted under the aegis of the IAEA.
This complementary approach is due to the fact the recommendations, treaties and agreements that the IAEA draws up concur with the corresponding policies of Euratom, whose observer status with the IAEA has resulted in establishing relations informed by an active partnership.
This complementary approach is due to the fact the recommendations, treaties and agreements that the IAEA draws up concur with the corresponding policies of Euratom, whose observer status with the IAEA has resulted in establishing relations informed by an active partnership.
– on a bilateral basis: historically, Euratom’s relations have concentrated on agreements with its three main suppliers of nuclear materials and technologies: Canada, Australia and the United States, and these agreements have subsequently been extended to include the fields of safety and nuclear research.
– on a bilateral basis: historically, Euratom’s relations have concentrated on agreements with its three main suppliers of nuclear materials and technologies: Canada, Australia and the United States, and these agreements have subsequently been extended to include the fields of safety and nuclear research.
They are today more properly reciprocal cooperation agreements (with Japan, Argentina, Kazakhstan and Ukraine) in the fields of safety, control of nuclear materials, combating their trafficking, and research into controlled nuclear fusion (under the ITER legal framework).
They are today more properly reciprocal cooperation agreements (with Japan, Argentina, Kazakhstan and Ukraine) in the fields of safety, control of nuclear materials, combating their trafficking, and research into controlled nuclear fusion (under the ITER legal framework).
It is also as a result of the chapter on external relations that Euratom has played a very active role in the successive stages of enlargement (in the PHARE Programme).
It is also as a result of the chapter on external relations that Euratom has played a very active role in the successive stages of enlargement (in the PHARE Programme).
The rapporteur considers that this is one of the major aspects of the Euratom system and by its very vitality is proof that the Treaty is still up to date.
The rapporteur considers that this is one of the major aspects of the Euratom system and by its very vitality is proof that the Treaty is still up to date.
II – But inadequate legal adaptation and some shortcomings are behind Euratom’s evident weaknesses.
II – But inadequate legal adaptation and some shortcomings are behind Euratom’s evident weaknesses.
– The democratic deficit
– The democratic deficit
The institutional imbalance must be restored in favour of Parliament, which should be accorded a codecision power on matters under the Treaty.
The institutional imbalance must be restored in favour of Parliament, which should be accorded a codecision power on matters under the Treaty.
The rapporteur underlines the by no means negligible importance of Parliament’s contribution.
The rapporteur underlines the by no means negligible importance of Parliament’s contribution.
Even if it is only consulted, its intervention in the debates has proved to be decisive on repeated occasions, whether dealing with stalemates such as over the adoption of the Seventh Euratom R&D Framework Programme, or in the negotiations on the Transfers Directive or through its amendments to the Nuclear Cooperation Instrument.
Even if it is only consulted, its intervention in the debates has proved to be decisive on repeated occasions, whether dealing with stalemates such as over the adoption of the Seventh Euratom R&D Framework Programme, or in the negotiations on the Transfers Directive or through its amendments to the Nuclear Cooperation Instrument.
– Adoption of common safety standards throughout the EU, management of radioactive waste and securing the funding of long-term costs
– Adoption of common safety standards throughout the EU, management of radioactive waste and securing the funding of long-term costs
In 2003 a regulation was proposed to define the organisational principles for proper safety management and mobilise sufficient financial resources for the operation and decommissioning of plants.
In 2003 a regulation was proposed to define the organisational principles for proper safety management and mobilise sufficient financial resources for the operation and decommissioning of plants.
In the absence of a consensus, in 2004 the Council adopted a convergence process for an Action Plan up to 2006, based on an ad hoc formation, the Working Party on Nuclear Safety (WPNS).
In the absence of a consensus, in 2004 the Council adopted a convergence process for an Action Plan up to 2006, based on an ad hoc formation, the Working Party on Nuclear Safety (WPNS).
The rapporteur notes that the Working Party’s recommendations endorse those of the PINC Project announced on 10 January 2007 and considers that, at the very least, the idea of setting up a High-Level Group on Nuclear Safety should be supported.
The rapporteur notes that the Working Party’s recommendations endorse those of the PINC Project announced on 10 January 2007 and considers that, at the very least, the idea of setting up a High-Level Group on Nuclear Safety should be supported.
To legislate in these areas does not require an in-depth revision of the Treaty, as Article 203 provides a sufficient legal basis for adopting new measures.
To legislate in these areas does not require an in-depth revision of the Treaty, as Article 203 provides a sufficient legal basis for adopting new measures.
III – The Treaty must enable us to meet the energy challenges of the future
III – The Treaty must enable us to meet the energy challenges of the future
If the tools intended to safeguard the development of nuclear energy have not worked as the Treaty’s founders expected, the rapporteur considers that the Treaty’s future is not in doubt and the need is now to give full effect to its existing provisions.
If the tools intended to safeguard the development of nuclear energy have not worked as the Treaty’s founders expected, the rapporteur considers that the Treaty’s future is not in doubt and the need is now to give full effect to its existing provisions.
– The common illustrative nuclear programmes (PINCs)
– The common illustrative nuclear programmes (PINCs)
Several PINCs have been published by the Commission, in 1966, 1972, 1984, 1990 and 1997.
Several PINCs have been published by the Commission, in 1966, 1972, 1984, 1990 and 1997.
The rapporteur deplores the fact that the voluntary and programming character of the PINC has disappeared and that the programme has not played its expected role.
The rapporteur deplores the fact that the voluntary and programming character of the PINC has disappeared and that the programme has not played its expected role.
The rapporteur notes that the latest PINC project does not seem any closer to setting up a forward-looking view for adapting nuclear industrial capacity to the aims of the Community’s energy policy, or for the investment needed in R&D structures in the fields of nuclear safety and the management of radioactive waste.
The rapporteur notes that the latest PINC project does not seem any closer to setting up a forward-looking view for adapting nuclear industrial capacity to the aims of the Community’s energy policy, or for the investment needed in R&D structures in the fields of nuclear safety and the management of radioactive waste.
If need be, the rapporteur recommends that this forward-looking assessment should also envisage the tools required to carry it out (notably by means of Euratom loans).
If need be, the rapporteur recommends that this forward-looking assessment should also envisage the tools required to carry it out (notably by means of Euratom loans).
– The Supply Agency’s powers must be revived in a context of market liberalisation
– The Supply Agency’s powers must be revived in a context of market liberalisation
Euratom’s purpose is to ensure the regular and equitable supply of ores and nuclear fuels to all Community users (Euratom has the exclusive right to conclude contracts for the supply of nuclear materials, a right of option on fissile minerals and materials produced on the territory of the Member States, and organisation of the Supply Agency on a commercial basis).
Euratom’s purpose is to ensure the regular and equitable supply of ores and nuclear fuels to all Community users (Euratom has the exclusive right to conclude contracts for the supply of nuclear materials, a right of option on fissile minerals and materials produced on the territory of the Member States, and organisation of the Supply Agency on a commercial basis).
As things stand, the Agency’s powers have been reduced in the case of its exclusive right to conclude agreements, and some Member States have set up simplified procedures with the Agency, with the result that it is today confined to a recording role.
As things stand, the Agency’s powers have been reduced in the case of its exclusive right to conclude agreements, and some Member States have set up simplified procedures with the Agency, with the result that it is today confined to a recording role.
The Agency’s purpose must be revived, with the aim of securing energy supplies.
The Agency’s purpose must be revived, with the aim of securing energy supplies.
As with several other chapters in the Treaty, its updating is made possible in a practical way since it includes its own revision mechanism.
As with several other chapters in the Treaty, its updating is made possible in a practical way since it includes its own revision mechanism.
The rapporteur sees this as an opportunity to turn it into a nuclear energy observatory, on the lines of the Commission’s recommendation for the European energy policy.
The rapporteur sees this as an opportunity to turn it into a nuclear energy observatory, on the lines of the Commission’s recommendation for the European energy policy.
Conclusions on the institutional debate and the Treaty’s future
Conclusions on the institutional debate and the Treaty’s future
For all of the above reasons, the rapporteur concludes that:
For all of the above reasons, the rapporteur concludes that:
Ø the Treaty needs to be consolidated, primarily because it has proved its effectiveness and there is a need to take account in the various energy scenarios of nuclear energy’s contribution to security of supply and the fight against climate change;
Ø the Treaty needs to be consolidated, primarily because it has proved its effectiveness and there is a need to take account in the various energy scenarios of nuclear energy’s contribution to security of supply and the fight against climate change;
Ø the Euratom institutional apparatus should put Parliament back at the centre of negotiations;
Ø the Euratom institutional apparatus should put Parliament back at the centre of negotiations;
Ø there is an urgent need for implementation of the Treaty to cover new fields of activity, and the foundations for adjustments of this kind are already present in the Treaty;
Ø there is an urgent need for implementation of the Treaty to cover new fields of activity, and the foundations for adjustments of this kind are already present in the Treaty;
Ø the Treaty should provide the conditions required to fund R&D in the fields of safety, radioactive waste management and future generations of reactors, and to develop teaching and training programmes, which will guarantee nuclear energy’s place in the energy mix;
Ø the Treaty should provide the conditions required to fund R&D in the fields of safety, radioactive waste management and future generations of reactors, and to develop teaching and training programmes, which will guarantee nuclear energy’s place in the energy mix;
Ø the Treaty should help to define a coordinated policy and one that will encourage investment: it has the appropriate tools for ensuring that the market is monitored, and for recommending maintenance of the necessary conditions for fulfilment of the EU’s energy policy.
Ø the Treaty should help to define a coordinated policy and one that will encourage investment: it has the appropriate tools for ensuring that the market is monitored, and for recommending maintenance of the necessary conditions for fulfilment of the EU’s energy policy.
on Assessing Euratom – 50 years of European nuclear energy policy
on Assessing Euratom – 50 years of European nuclear energy policy
Draftsman: Johannes Voggenhuber
Draftsman: Johannes Voggenhuber
The Committee on Constitutional Affairs calls on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
The Committee on Constitutional Affairs calls on the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy, as the committee responsible, to incorporate the following suggestions in its motion for a resolution:
A. whereas, although the EU Treaties have repeatedly undergone thorough revision in the light of new needs and challenges, the Euratom Treaty has been amended only once
A. whereas, although the EU Treaties have repeatedly undergone thorough revision in the light of new needs and challenges, the Euratom Treaty has been amended only once
By means of the Treaty on European Union signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992. in its 50-year history and, in that time, its core provisions and substance have remained unchanged,
By means of the Treaty on European Union signed in Maastricht on 7 February 1992. in its 50-year history and, in that time, its core provisions and substance have remained unchanged,
B. whereas, although the Euratom Treaty has been modified only slightly in the last 50 years, it has given rise to a substantial volume of secondary legislation over the same period and has been the subject of a considerable number of judgments handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Communities which have, for example, substantially broadened the original scope of the Treaty,
B. whereas, although the Euratom Treaty has been modified only slightly in the last 50 years, it has given rise to a substantial volume of secondary legislation over the same period and has been the subject of a considerable number of judgments handed down by the Court of Justice of the European Communities which have, for example, substantially broadened the original scope of the Treaty,
C. whereas the recent round of enlargement has increased the diversity of the European Union’s landscape in the area of nuclear energy and the need for Community action in the nuclear domain; whereas 11 of the 27 Member States have never had a nuclear power station on their territory; and whereas Italy has abandoned electricity generation using nuclear energy, and Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have decided to take a similar step,
C. whereas the recent round of enlargement has increased the diversity of the European Union’s landscape in the area of nuclear energy and the need for Community action in the nuclear domain; whereas 11 of the 27 Member States have never had a nuclear power station on their territory; and whereas Italy has abandoned electricity generation using nuclear energy, and Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands and Sweden have decided to take a similar step,
D. whereas, as long ago as 18 June 1998, in its resolution entitled 'Resolution on the Commission communication: Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy - White Paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan', Parliament called on the Council ‘during a future review of the EU Treaty, to incorporate in the Treaty a chapter devoted to energy, with appropriate account being taken of the promotion of renewable energy sources in order to ensure that a permanent and environmentally sound energy policy will be pursued at European level’
D. whereas, as long ago as 18 June 1998, in its resolution entitled 'Resolution on the Commission communication: Energy for the future: renewable sources of energy - White Paper for a Community Strategy and Action Plan', Parliament called on the Council ‘during a future review of the EU Treaty, to incorporate in the Treaty a chapter devoted to energy, with appropriate account being taken of the promotion of renewable energy sources in order to ensure that a permanent and environmentally sound energy policy will be pursued at European level’
OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p.
OJ C 210, 6.7.1998, p.
215, paragraph 39. ,
215, paragraph 39. ,