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EC/Russia Agreement on cooperation in science and technology: renewal

2008/0209(CNS)

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement aimed at renewing, for a further 5 years, the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the European Community and the Government of the Russian Federation.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

CONTENT: the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the European Community and the Government of the Russian Federation was signed in Brussels on 16 November 2000. It was concluded for an initial period ending on 31 December 2002 and was renewable by common agreement between the parties for additional periods of 5 years.

By its Decision 798/2003/EC of 5 June 2003, the Council concluded the renewal of the Agreement for a further period of 5 years.

At the EC-Russia S&T Joint Committee meeting of 28 June 2007, both Parties expressed their interest in renewing the Agreement. Furthermore, at the EU-Russia Permanent Partnership Council meeting of 26 May, 2008, both Parties agreed to undertake the necessary steps with a view to renewing this Agreement.

Renewal of the agreement would be in the interest of both Parties so as to maintain continuity in the scientific and technological relations between Russia and the European Community.

Since the content of the renewed Agreement will be identical to the content of the current Agreement, which expires on 20 February, 2009, following the normal procedures for negotiating this renewal (Article 300(1) of the EC Treaty) would serve no useful purpose. Given the resulting advantages, for both Parties, of rapid renewal, a one-step procedure is suggested (a single procedure and a single act concerning signature and conclusion). This renewed Agreement shall be referred to in the New EU-Russia Agreement for which negotiations were launched at the EU Russia summit in Khanty-Mansiysk on 27 June 2008.

Both Parties to the Agreement are eager to ensure continuity in the ongoing cooperations (in particular in respect of those activities which can only be undertaken with third countries on the basis of a cooperation agreement).