Proposed Council Decision on a Fusion Energy Research Agreement with South Korea (link)

Brussels, 09 Oct 2006

Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION on the conclusion, by the Commission, of the Agreement for co-operation between the European Atomic Energy Community represented by the Commission and the Government of the Republic of Korea in the field of fusion energy research.
Full Text

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

(1) Directives for the Commission to conduct negotiations on an Agreement (the "Agreement") for co-operation between the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) represented by the Commission of the European Communities and the Government of the Republic of Korea (collectively referred to as "the Parties"), in the field of fusion energy research and development were adopted by the Council on 18 April 2005.

(2) The directives were based on a draft Agreement, which was discussed and approved at the level of the Joint Working Party on research and Atomic Questions prior to the adoption of the mandate as a point A Decision by the Council. No change has been made to this draft Agreement during the negotiations, other than typographical changes.

(3) The Consultative Committee for the Euratom specific programme on nuclear energy research (Fusion) (CCE-FU) has supported the intention to conclude such an Agreement.

(4) As far as the EAEC is concerned, the forms of co-operation which the new agreement would allow are:

(a) technically compatible with the scientific and technological objectives relevant to thermonuclear fusion as laid down in the Council Decision of 29 August 2002 concerning the Sixth Framework Programme of the EAEC for research and training activities (2002-2006)1, and with the scientific and technological objectives relevant to thermonuclear fusion as laid down in the proposal for a Council Decision concerning the specific Programme implementing the seventh Framework Programme (2007-2011) of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities2.

(b) financially compatible with the financial reference amount for fusion in the same Decision of 29 August 2002, and of that of the proposal for a Council Decision concerning the specific Programme implementing the seventh Framework Programme (2007-2011) of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) for nuclear research and training activities3.

(5) All cooperative activities under this agreement will be in fields that are part of the EU programmes, and as such will the financed through the relevant funding schemes (such as the Contracts of Association between the Commission and Member States, the Agreement on Staff Mobility, and other funding schemes foreseen for the implementation of fusion energy research in the EU). The proposed Agreement will therefore have no other financial consequences for the Community budget than administrative costs.

(6) The Agreement will have to be concluded by the Commission in conformity with article 101, second paragraph, of the Treaty establishing the EAEC.

(7) In view of the above, the Commission proposes that the Council approves, in application of the second paragraph of article 101 of the Treaty establishing the EAEC, that the Commission concludes the annexed draft proposal of an Agreement for co-operation between the European Atomic Energy Community represented by the Commission and the Government of the Republic of Korea in the field of fusion energy research.

[...]

Brussels, 6.10.2006 COM(2006) 578 final