EU and Euratom/Georgia, Japan, Norway, Kyrgyzstan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Korea, Tajikistan, USA Agreement: continuing the International Science and Technology Center

The Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted the report by Elmar BROK (EPP, DE) on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement continuing the International Science and Technology Center.

The committee recommended that the European Parliament give its consent to the conclusion of the Agreement.

In brief, the proposed Decision aims to conclude the Agreement continuing the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) after the withdrawal of Russian participation, signed on 9 December 2015, requiring Parliament’s consent in order to enter into force for the parts falling under the competence of the Treaties on the European Union, and on Functioning of the EU, respectively. Parts of the Agreement falling within the competence of the EURATOM Treaty have been already adopted by the EU, which did not require Parliament’s consent.

The Agreement will ensure that the on-going and new projects shall continue with a changed membership, a broader geographical scope possibly including the Middle East region, and a set of updated objectives more specifically targeting dual-use knowledge.

In the short justification accompanying the report, the rapporteur shared the concern about the global security and safety challenges posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (including nuclear, radiological, chemical, and biological). He therefore fully supported measures aimed at preventing proliferating of know-how, technology and materials, as well as their means of delivery in this respect in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and G8 commitments, aimed at States and non-State actors attempting to acquire or use them.

In this context, the rapporteur recommended giving consent to the Agreement providing continuation of activities of the ISTC moved to Astana, Kazakhstan, following withdrawal of Russia from the Center in July 2015, as announced in 2010.

He reminded the Commission, VP-HR and the Council of its obligation to automatically inform the European Parliament at the start of the negotiations including giving access to draft and adopted negotiating directives, as stipulated in Article 218 (10) TFEU, and provided for further by EU case-law.