EC/Switzerland agreement: scientific and technological cooperation, EC/Euratom 5th framework programme

PREVIOUS POSITION OF EP: One part of the 4th Framework Programme on Research and Development (R&D) for the EU is cooperation in the field of R&D. This scientific and technological cooperation in Europe is also extended to other scientific and technological cooperation frameworks in Europe outside the EU. The aim of this activity is to optimize research in Europe through appropriate cooperation, taking into account national efforts, both those of Member-States and those of EFTA-countries, as well as those of COST, EUREKA, and other European organizations. The objective of this cooperation is to promote the interest of the Community and to optimize the efforts made in the area of Research, Technological Development and Demonstration (RTD), by facilitating access to sources of science and technology of Third Countries. This approach was highly welcomed by the EP and the Council in its codecision on the Framework Programme. Concerning directly EU-Swiss Cooperation: In 1989 the Parliament gave its recommendation concerning the cooperation agreement between the Community and the Swiss Confederation on a programme plan to stimulate the international cooperation and interchange needed by European research scientists (SCIENCE) (see point 9).