EC/India Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation: renewal of the Agreement

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement renewing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and India.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2009/501/EC concerning the conclusion of an Agreement renewing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India.

CONTENT: by Decision 2002/648/EC (see CNS/2001/0175), the Council approved the conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and India. Article 11(b) of the Agreement provides that the Agreement is to be concluded for an initial period of five years and may be renewed by mutual agreement between the Parties after evaluation during the last year of each successive period.

At the EC-India S&T Steering Committee meeting held in Brussels on 15 and 16 November 2006, both Parties expressed their interest for the renewal of the Agreement for five more years. The material content of the renewed Agreement is identical to the material content of the Agreement, which expired on 14 October 2007. The Parties consider that rapid renewal of the Agreement would be in their mutual interest.

Therefore, the Agreement renewing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and India is hereby approved on behalf of the Community.

The Agreement is based on principles of:

• a partnership for balanced mutual benefits,
• reciprocity,
• the timely exchange of information,
• the appropriate protection of intellectual property rights.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: the Agreement shall enter into force once all the necessary procedures have been completed.