PURPOSE: conclude an Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Union and European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) and Switzerland associating this country to Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and the Research and Training Programme of the European Atomic Energy Community complementing Horizon 2020 and regulating Switzerland's participation in the ITER activities carried out by Fusion for Energy.
PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.
ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act.
BACKGROUND: on 15 November 2013, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations, on behalf of the European Union and EURATOM, with Switzerland in order to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and EURATOM and this country to Horizon 2020 - the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and the Research and Training Programme of EURATOM complementing Horizon 2020, and regulating Switzerland's participation in the ITER activities carried out by Fusion for Energy.
Negotiations were completed on 24 July 2014.
It is now necessary to conclude the Agreement on behalf of the European Union.
CONTENT: this proposal calls on the Council to conclude the Agreement on behalf of the European Union.
The text of the Agreement is attached to the proposed Council Decision.