EC/Japan Agreement: cooperation in science and technology

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Community and Japan on cooperation in science and technology.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the Community, an Agreement on cooperation in science and technology with the Government of Japan. This Agreement was signed by the representatives of the Parties on 30 November 2009 subject to its conclusion at a later date.

As a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Union has replaced and succeeded the European Community. Consequently, the Agreement should be concluded on behalf of the Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASE: Article 186, in conjunction with point (v) of Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

CONTENT: this Decision aims to approve the Agreement between the European Community and the Government of Japan on cooperation in science and technology on behalf of the European Union. For details of the content of the Agreement, please see the summary of the document annexed to the procedure dated 22/10/2009.

The proposal also states that as a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon on 1 December 2009, the European Union has replaced and succeeded the European Community and from that date exercises all rights and assumes all obligations of the European Community. Therefore, references to "the European Community" in the text of the Agreement are, where appropriate, to be read as "the European Union".

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: the proposal has no implications for the EU budget.