PURPOSE: to extend, for the additional period of 5 years, the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
CONTENT: the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology between the European Community and the Government of the United States of America was signed in Washington on 5 December, 1997 and entered into force on 14 October 1998 (see CNS/1998/0095). The Agreement was concluded for an initial period of 5 years. Subject to review by the Parties in the final year of each successive period, the Agreement may be extended with possible amendments, thereafter for additional periods of 5 years by mutual written agreement by the Parties. By Council Decision 2004/756/EC of 4 October, 2004 the Agreement was renewed for a further period of 5 years which became effective as from 14 October 2003. The Agreement is due to expire on 13 October, 2008 (see CNS/2003/0223).
As it is in the interest of the Community to extend this Agreement in order to continue to facilitate cooperation with the United States of America in common S&T priority areas leading to socio-economic benefits for both Parties, the Commission proposes to extend this Agreement for a period of 5 years from 2008.
The material content of the extended Agreement will be identical to the material content of the current Agreement, apart from amendments of a technical nature to update the scope of the agreement in line with the Seventh Community Research Framework Programme (FP7), consisting mainly in adding research on space, security and nanotechnologies to the list of sectors for cooperative activities.