Euratom/USA agreement for peaceful nuclear cooperation

In adopting the report by Mrs AHERN (Green, Irl.), the European Parliament stressed that its limited involvement in the conclusion of this agreement was unacceptable and it called specifically on the Commission and Council to put right the non-involvement of Parliament in the conclusion of agreements concluded between EURATOM and third countries. It asks the Council to recognize Articles 203 of the EAEC treaty and 235 of the TEU as a relevant and valid legal base for consultation of Parliament on all matters relating to nuclear energy and reserves the right to use the provisions of Article 107a of the EAEC Treaty as a way of overcoming the democratic deficit in these areas. It also asks the Commission and Council to inform it of the action taken on its 1992 and 1996 resolutions on the outcome of the intergovernmental conferences and on how the demands and criteria laid down in its 1995 resolution on the conclusion of the US- EURATOM agreement are reflected in that agreement. It also asks the Commission to explain why parts of the agreement may remain in force after the end of its period of validity and to specify the consequences and implications of that fact. Reaffirming the belief it expressed in its April 1995 resolution that the development of sustainable energy sources is a more promising strategy to meet energy needs, it expresses the view that the International Convention on the Physical Protection of Nuclear Materials is insufficient to provide a guaranteed assurance of a safe and uninterrupted shipment. It expresses concern that application of the IAEA transport safety standards to the exchange of nuclear materials covered by the agreements will permit transports of these materials to third countries and considers that the air transport of nuclear materials is unacceptable from an environmental and aircraft safety point of view. In conclusion, it demands that the Commission and Council inform Parliament fully and in good time of all current and forthcoming international negotiations in the nuclear technology field.