PURPOSE: to extend the Agreement on cooperation in
science and technology between the European Community and the
United States of America.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the
act only if Parliament has given its consent to the
act.
BACKGROUND: the Agreement on cooperation in science and
technology between the European Community and the
Government of the United States of America was signed in Washington
on 5 December 1997 and entered into force on 14 October
1998.
Article 12(b) of the Agreement provides that this
Agreement may be extended with possible amendments, thereafter for
additional period of five years by mutual written agreement by the
Parties.
By Council Decision 2009/306/EC
of 30 March 2009, the Agreement was extended for a further period
of five years. The Agreement is due to expire on 14 October
2013.
Extension of the Agreement would be in the interest of
both Parties so as to maintain continuity in the scientific and
technological relations between the US and the European Union
leading to socio-economic benefits for both Parties.
It is now necessary to extend this
Agreement.
CONTENT: under this present proposal, it is provided
to invite the Council to approve the extension of the Agreement for
scientific and technological cooperation between the European
Community and the Government of the United States of America for
an additional period of five years.
The material content of the extended
Agreement will be identical to that
of the current Agreement.
At a later stage, however, the intellectual property
rights annex may be reviewed following a request from the United
States. The USA is preparing an official note identifying all the
areas which they would like to negotiate. Such negotiations will
require the Council to adopt a decision authorising the opening of
negotiations upon the Commission's recommendation.
In the meantime, the current draft Agreement shall
remain applicable.
BUDGETARY IMPLICATION: the financial impact of the
Agreement would cover the period 2013-2018 and includes a
financial envelope estimated at EUR 875 000 from the EU
budget (mainly appropriations from the DG Research).