Proposed decision on Scientific and Technical Cooperation with Israel (link)

Brussels, 01 Apr 2003

Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
concerning the signature of the Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the European Community and the State of Israel
Full Text

EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM

Subject: Proposal for a Council Decision concerning the signature of the Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the European Community and the State of Israel

1. By its Decision 1999/224/EC of 22 February 1999, the Council concluded an Agreement on Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the European Community and the State of Israel, which entered into force on 8 March 1999.

2. The Agreement associates the State of Israel with all the activities of the specific programmes of the 5th Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities. Article 12(4) of the Agreement provides that "where the Community adopts a new multiannual framework programme for research and development, this Agreement may be renegotiated or renewed under mutually agreed conditions".

3. On 29 March 2002 the State of Israel submitted an official request to the Commission for the renewal of the Agreement associating Israel with the activities of the 5th Framework Programme of the European Community. The renewed Agreement would associate the State of Israel with all the activities of the specific programmes of the 6th Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities (2002-2006).

4. Since cooperation under the Agreement has proved satisfactory, its renewal would be in the interests of the Community in order to enlarge the European Research Area for the implementation of the 6th Framework Programme.

5. Consequently, on 12 August 2002 the Commission requested the Council to authorise it to negotiate the renewal of the current Agreement. On 5 November 2002 the Council authorised the negotiations, and also envisaged the negotiation of provisional application of the renewed Agreement. Provisional application would enable Israeli entities to participate in the first calls for proposals under the 6th Framework Programme.

6. The renewal of the Agreement has been negotiated in accordance with the directives annexed to the Council Decision of 5 November 2002. The negotiations culminated in the draft Agreement and the Annexes thereto which are attached and were initialled on 17 December 2002 by the authorised representatives of the two parties.

7. The draft Agreement is based on the principles of mutual benefit, reciprocal opportunities for participating in each party's programmes and activities in the areas covered by the Agreement, non-discrimination, effective protection of intellectual property and equitable sharing of intellectual property rights.

8. In the light of the above considerations, the Commission proposes that the Council should decide

­ that the Agreement should be signed on behalf of the European Community and authorise the President of the Council to designate the person empowered to sign on behalf of the Community;

­ that the Agreement should be applied on a provisional basis upon signature.

Brussels, 28.3.2003 COM(2003) 150 final