EC/Faroe Islands agreement: scientific and technological cooperation, Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (2007-2013)
PURPOSE: to conclude a scientific and technological agreement between the European Community and the Faroe Islands with a view to associating the latter to the European Community’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research, Technological Development and Demonstration Activities (1007-2013).
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
BACKGROUND: on 15 June 2009, the Council authorised the European Commission to negotiate an Agreement between the European Community and the Government of the Faroes on scientific and technological cooperation, associating the Faroes to the Seventh (EC) Framework Programme for Research and Development (2007-2013).
The negotiations between the two parties were completed and resulted in a draft agreement, which was initialled on 13 July 2009 and which is in line with the negotiation directives issued by the Council.
IMPACT ASSESSMENT: not applicable.
CONTENT: the proposal related to the conclusion in the name of the Community an agreement to associate the Faroe Islands to the Community’s Seventh Framework Programme for Research.
The draft agreement is based on the principles of:
- mutual benefit,
- reciprocal opportunities for access to each other’s programmes and activities relevant to the purpose of the agreement,
- non-discrimination,
- effective protection of intellectual property, and
- equitable sharing of intellectual property rights.
The agreement will open to legal entities from the Faroe Islands the same participation and funding rights and obligations as legal entities established in the EU Member States.
Institutional framework: the draft agreement will help to structure and enhance the scientific and technological cooperation between the EC and the Faroes, through regular meetings of its Joint Committee, in which specific cooperation activities can be planned. Furthermore, its text envisages the participation of representatives of the Faroe Islands as observers with no voting rights in the Seventh Framework Programme Committees and in the Board of Governors of the Joint Research Centre.
Anticipated entry into force: the agreement shall enter into force on the date on which the parties exchange diplomatic notes informing each other that their respective internal procedures necessary for its entry into force have been completed and shall remain in force for the remaining duration of the Seventh EC Framework Programme. It is proposed that this Agreement should apply provisionally as of 1 January 2010, subject to conclusion at a later date.
Annexes: the Agreement contains several annexes which deal with, respectively: i) terms and conditions with respect to the association of the Faroes, ii) principles on the allocation of intellectual property rights, iii) rules governing the financial contribution of the Faroes to the Seventh EC Framework Programme, and iv) financial control of Faroese participants in the Community programmes covered by the agreement.
BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the conclusion of the agreement would impact on expenditure only in terms of technical and administrative assistance for the management of the agreement from the Community’s side. The envisaged amount would be EUR 117 000/year from 2010 to 2013 (in other words, a total amount of EUR 468 000 for the period in question.