PURPOSE: the conclusion of an Agreement between the European Community and the European Atomic Energy Community and the Swiss Confederation on Scientific and Technical cooperation.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision of the Council and of the Commission on the conclusion on behalf of the European Community and of the European Atomic Energy Community of the Agreement of Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and the European Atomic Energy Community, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other part.

CONTENT: this Council and Commission Decision concludes an Agreement, which has been provisionally in force since January 2004, between the EC, Euratom and the Swiss Confederation on Scientific and Technical Cooperation.. Conclusion of the Agreement was dependant upon the text of the Agreement being authentic in all languages of the Member States following enlargement in May 2004.

In summary, the Agreement sets out:

- the terms and conditions for Swiss participation in the sixth EC and Euratom framework programme.

- Swiss legal entities participation in the 6 th framework programme.

Provisions on the allocation of Intellectual Property Rights; on the financial contribution of Switzerland; and on the financial control of Swiss participation in the 6 th framework programme, are set out in Annexes to the Decision.

As far as the financial provisions are concerned, Switzerland’s contribution will be determined in proportion to, and in addition to, the amount available each year in the general budget of the European Union for commitment appropriations. The proportionality factor governing the Swiss contribution (other than the Fusion programme) will be established by the ratio between Switzerland’s gross domestic product, at market prices, and the sum of gross domestic product, also at market prices, of the EU Member States.

A committee reviewing the implementation of this Agreement is established entitled the “Switzerland/Communities Research Committee”. The Agreement can be revised or extended depending on any amendments to or extension of the Communities research programmes. The Agreement itself is only applicable during the duration of the 6 th EC and Euratom Framework Programmes and may be terminated at any time by each Party, subject to six months written notice.

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Giles CHICHESTER (EPP-ED, UK), and approved the conclusion of the agreement.

The committee adopted the report by its chair, Giles CHICHESTER ( EPP-ED , UK ), approving the conclusion of the agreement (consultation procedure).

PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the Community, the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Communities of the one part and the Swiss Confederation of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the Council and of the Commission.

CONTENT: by joint decision of 4 April 2002 the Council and the Commission concluded the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the EC and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) of the one part and the Swiss Confederation of the other part. The Agreement entered into force on 1 June 2002.

This Agreement associated Switzerland in the specific programmes of the Fifth Framework Programmes. Article 9(2) provided for renewal of the Agreement should the Community adopt new Framework Programmes.

On 7 June 2002, as the Sixth Framework Programmes were being adopted by the Communities, the Swiss Confederation requested the Commission to renew the Agreement with a view to being associated in the programmes. It is in the interest of the Communities to renew this Agreement and thereby expand the European Research Area. Negotiations for renewal of the Agreement were completed on 5 September 2003 and the Agreement and the Annexes were signed on 16 January 2004 in Brussels.

This new Agreement is based on the principles laid down in its predecessor, particularly with regard to the Swiss Confederation’s contribution to the budgets for the Sixth Framework Programmes. However, it has been adapted to take account of the specifics of the Sixth Framework Programmes. In addition, Annex C contains new provisions on cooperation between the Communities and the Swiss Confederation on control of Community funds.

Following the entry into force of the Sixth Framework Programmes, in view of the fact that the associated States make annual contributions to the respective budgets and of the time needed for negotiation of this renewal, it is proposed that this Agreement should enter into force on 1 January 2004 and, if it is not concluded in time, should apply provisionally from that date on, subject to signature at a later date.

The Agreement stipulates that the eleven official languages at the time of signing are to be authentic. Regulations No 1/1958 oblige the EC and the Euratom Community to draft documents of general application in all the official languages of the Member States, which since enlargement, total 20 languages. The Council must decide that the Commission should conclude the Agreement in such a way that the languages of the new Member States are authentic, without formally amending the Agreement. This additional agreement should take the form of an exchange of letters annexed to the Agreement.

PURPOSE: to approve, on behalf of the Community, the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Communities of the one part and the Swiss Confederation of the other part.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the Council and of the Commission.

CONTENT: by joint decision of 4 April 2002 the Council and the Commission concluded the Agreement on Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the EC and the European Atomic Energy Community (EAEC) of the one part and the Swiss Confederation of the other part. The Agreement entered into force on 1 June 2002.

This Agreement associated Switzerland in the specific programmes of the Fifth Framework Programmes. Article 9(2) provided for renewal of the Agreement should the Community adopt new Framework Programmes.

On 7 June 2002, as the Sixth Framework Programmes were being adopted by the Communities, the Swiss Confederation requested the Commission to renew the Agreement with a view to being associated in the programmes. It is in the interest of the Communities to renew this Agreement and thereby expand the European Research Area. Negotiations for renewal of the Agreement were completed on 5 September 2003 and the Agreement and the Annexes were signed on 16 January 2004 in Brussels.

This new Agreement is based on the principles laid down in its predecessor, particularly with regard to the Swiss Confederation’s contribution to the budgets for the Sixth Framework Programmes. However, it has been adapted to take account of the specifics of the Sixth Framework Programmes. In addition, Annex C contains new provisions on cooperation between the Communities and the Swiss Confederation on control of Community funds.

Following the entry into force of the Sixth Framework Programmes, in view of the fact that the associated States make annual contributions to the respective budgets and of the time needed for negotiation of this renewal, it is proposed that this Agreement should enter into force on 1 January 2004 and, if it is not concluded in time, should apply provisionally from that date on, subject to signature at a later date.

The Agreement stipulates that the eleven official languages at the time of signing are to be authentic. Regulations No 1/1958 oblige the EC and the Euratom Community to draft documents of general application in all the official languages of the Member States, which since enlargement, total 20 languages. The Council must decide that the Commission should conclude the Agreement in such a way that the languages of the new Member States are authentic, without formally amending the Agreement. This additional agreement should take the form of an exchange of letters annexed to the Agreement.