PURPOSE : to extend an EU-Ukrainian agreement on scientific and technological co-operation.
CONTENT : in July 2002 the European Union and the Ukraine signed an Agreement on co-operation in science and technology. The Agreement was concluded for an initial period ending on 31 December 2002 renewable by common agreement between the Parties for an additional five years.
Co-operation between the EU and the Ukraine has been extensive including 36 research projects under the INCO-COPERNICUS heading of the Fifth framework programme. In October 2002, the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs requested the renewal of the abovementioned Agreement for a further five years. A rapid, one-step, single procedure is requested allowing for a smooth transition.
In light of this the Commission requests the Council:
- to approve, on behalf of the Community, after consulting the European parliament, the conclusion of an Agreement aimed at renewing the Agreement on co-operation in science and technology between the European Community and Ukraine.
- to authorise the President of the Council to designate the person empowered to sign the Agreement in order to express the consent of the Community to be bound thereby.�