PURPOSE: to conclude the Agreement continuing the
International Science and Technology Centre between the European
Union and Euratom acting as one Party and Georgia, Japan, the
Kingdom of Norway, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Armenia,
the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of
Tajikistan, 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 International Science and Technology
Centre ('ISTC') was set up in 1994 after the collapse of the Soviet
Union. It was funded together with other Parties (USA, Canada, and
Japan) through an international multilateral agreement for the
purpose of non-proliferation of scientific and technical
expertise related to weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Over
time, other Parties joined the Agreement, i.e. Armenia, Belarus,
Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kirghizstan, Republic of Korea, Norway,
Russian Federation and Tajikistan.
The ISTC works at the crossroads between scientific
research and non-proliferation, and has funded almost 3000 projects
with a total value of over EUR 550 million. The Union contribution
amounts to approximately EUR 270 million.
In the latest years the concept and the work of the
ISTC as a science centre evolved to take into account the changing
proliferation landscape, the results of threat analyses and the
evolving needs of the parties. It increasingly focused on
supporting projects aiming at mitigation of broader Chemical,
Biological, Radiological and Nuclear risks, not necessarily focused
on scientists' redirection, but on promoting bio safety and
biosecurity, physical upgrades of laboratories as well as
stimulation of networking activities among relevant scientific
communities.
Following the 2010 announced withdrawal of the Russian
Federation, that becomes effective on 15 July 2015, the Parties
agreed that a new Agreement needs to be put in place in order for
the Centre to effectively fulfil its mandate under changed
circumstances. On 21 October 2013, the Council authorised the
Commission to start negotiations. The aims set out in the
negotiating directives have been fully met.
In accordance with the Council Decision (EU) 2015/1989
the Agreement continuing the International Science and Technology
Centre between the European Union and Euratom acting as one Party
and Georgia, Japan, Norway, the Kyrgyz Republic, Armenia,
Kazakhstan, Korea, Tajikistan, and the United States of America was
signed on 9 December 2015, subject to its conclusion at a
later date.
CONTENT: the Commission proposed that the Council
adopt a decision aiming to conclude, on behalf of the European
Union, the Agreement continuing the International Science and
Technology Centre between the European Union and Euratom acting as
one Party and Georgia, Japan, Norway, the Kyrgyz Republic, Armenia,
Kazakhstan, Korea, Tajikistan, and the United States.
The Centre's core objectives as laid down in the continuation Agreement. These
objectives are:
- to promote the improvement of international
mechanisms for the prevention of the proliferation of WMD and
their delivery systems, as well as of technologies, materials, and
expertise that are key elements directly related to the
development, production, use, or enhancement of WMD or their
delivery systems (including dual-use technology, materials, and
expertise);
- to give scientists and engineers with knowledge and
skills applicable to WMD and their delivery systems, including
dual-use knowledge and skills, opportunities for training and
alternative employment where their knowledge and skills can be used
for peaceful activities;
- to promote a culture of security with respect
to the handling and use of materials, equipment, and technology
which could be used for the design, development, production, or use
of WMD or their means of delivery; and
- to contribute through its activities: (i) to the
development of international scientific partnership, strengthening
global security, and fostering economic growth through innovation;
(ii) to basic and applied research and technology development and
commercialization, inter alia, in the fields of environment,
energy, health, and nuclear, chemical, and biological safety and
security; and (iii) to promoting the further integration of
scientists with technologies, material, and expertise applicable to
WMD into the international scientific community.
In line with the negotiations directives, the
Agreement:
- foresees that all the activities will benefit from the
tax-free regime and other tax privileges in the recipient
countries;
- enables the funding Parties to have full access to
monitor, audit, evaluate and inspect EU funded projects, including
inspection of the facilities benefiting from the
funding;
- sets the immunities and privileges for the ISTC staff,
including for the staff working on the behalf of the European
Union. The text of Article 12 of the Agreement is fully compliant
with the provision of Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations of
18 April 1961.