Research and aeronautics: setting up the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking

The European Parliament adopted a resolution drafted by Lena EK (ALDE, SE) amending the proposal for a Council regulation setting up the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking.

The main amendments were as follows:

Creation of a Joint Undertaking: the report stipulates that it should be ensured that after the last call for proposals in 2013 projects still in progress are implemented, monitored and funded until 2017. The Clean Sky Joint Undertaking is a body as referred to in Article 185 of the Financial Regulation and Point 47 of the IIA of 17 May 2006.

Objectives: the Joint Undertaking shall: i) contribute to the implementation of the Seventh Framework Programme and in particular to the Theme 'Transport' (including Aeronautics) of the Specific Programme 'Cooperation'; ii) ensure coherent implementation of European research efforts aimed at environmental improvements in the field of air transport; iii) promote the involvement of SMEs in its activities in order to enable at least 15% of the funding available to be granted to SMEs.

Financing: the running costs shall not exceed 3% of the total budget of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking. Moreover, ITD Leaders and Associates shall contribute resources evaluated in accordance with the practices established under the Seventh Framework Programme. The evaluation and selection process, which shall be carried out with the assistance of external experts, shall ensure that the allocation of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking public funding follows the principles of excellence and competition.

Financial rules: the financial rules applicable to the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking shall not depart from Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2343/2002, unless its specific operating needs so require and subject to the prior consent of the Commission. The budgetary authority shall be informed of any such derogation.

Staff: the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking shall recruit its staff in accordance with the rules established in its host country. The Commission may second to the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking as many officials as it regards necessary. Parliament deleted references to the e Staff Regulations of Officials of the European Communities and the Protocol on the Privileges and Immunities of the European Communities being applicable to the Joint Undertaking.

Obligations: the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking shall be solely responsible for meeting its obligations.

Report: no later than 31 December 2010 and, thereafter, by 31 December 2015, the Commission shall conduct interim evaluations of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking with the assistance of independent experts. These evaluations shall cover the quality and efficiency of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking and its progress towards the objectives set. The Commission shall communicate the conclusions of the evaluations, accompanied by its observations and, where appropriate, proposals for the amendment of this Regulation to the European Parliament and to the Council. The Regulation shall expire on 31 December 2017. It shall be ensured that after the last call for proposals in 2013 projects still in progress are implemented, monitored and funded until 2017.

Parliament also introduced the following amendments in the Annex:

- decisions of the Executive Board on accession of any other legal entity shall be made taking into account the relevance and potential added value of the applicant for the achievement of the objectives of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking. For any new application for membership, the Commission shall provide timely information to the Council on the assessment and, where applicable, on the decision of the Executive Board;

- any Member may withdraw from the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking. Withdrawal shall become effective and irrevocable six months after notification to the other Members, following which the former Member shall be discharged from any obligations other than those already undertaken through decisions of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking in accordance with these Statutes, prior to the Member's withdrawal;

- information on projects, including the names of the participants and the amount of the financial contribution of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking per participant shall be published;

- Parliament deleted references to the establishment of an Advisory Board;

- the Director shall be appointed by the Executive Board on the basis of a list of candidates proposed by the Commission, following a call for expression of interest published in the Official Journal of the European Union and in other periodicals or on the Internet;

- Parliament deleted a clause stating that the Integrated Technology Demonstrator Leaders will have a right of veto over any resolution of the Steering Committee of the Integrated Technology Demonstrator of which they are leaders;

- an amount of at least EUR 200 million shall be allocated to external partners [projects] selected via competitive calls for proposals. Particular attention shall be paid to ensuring adequate participation of SMEs in an amount equal to 15% of the total Community funding. The Community financial contribution shall comply with the upper funding limits of the total eligible costs, laid down by the Rules for participation in the Seventh Framework Programme;

- an Annual Report which shall present the progress made by the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking every calendar year, in particular in relation to the Annual Implementation Plan for that year. It shall be presented by the Executive Director together with the annual accounts and balance sheets. It shall include the participation of SMEs in the R&D activities of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking;

- the Annual Work Programme shall describe the scope and the budget of calls for proposals needed to implement the research agenda for a particular year;

- the Members shall not be liable for any obligations of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking. The financial liability of the Members shall be an internal liability towards the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking only and shall be limited to their commitment to contribute to the resources as set out in the Annex. Without prejudice to the financial contributions due to Project participants, the financial liability of the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking for its debts shall be limited to the contributions made by the Members to the running costs as set out in the Annex;

- the report stipulates that the European Parliament needs to be consulted on any important changes to the JU's statutes;

- lastly, a host agreement shall be concluded between the Clean Sky Joint Undertaking and Belgium.