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

The Council presented a consolidated version of the scientific and technological cooperation agreement between the EC, EURATOM and Switzerland, that also includes the final act and the signatures of all of the contracting parties. It should be recalled that this agreement will associate Switzerland with the European Community's Fifth Framework Programme (1998-2002) for research and technology and the corresponding EURATOM Fifth Framework programme (1998-2002). If research entities established in Switzerland are admitted to participate in the specific programmes of the two framework programmes, research entities in the European Community are also able to participate in research programmes and projects in Switzerland, which guarantees the reciprocity of activities as foreseen by the directives. The Swiss financial contribution to research programme budgets is based on the relation between the Swiss GDP and that of members of the EU.�