Legal provisions of COM(2008)507-2 - Negotiation mandate authorizing the Commission to negotiate an agreement between Euratom (Euratom) and the Department of Energy of the USA (USDOE) in the field of nuclear security research and development - Main contents
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| dossier | COM(2008)507-2 - Negotiation mandate authorizing the Commission to negotiate an agreement between Euratom (Euratom) and the Department of ... |
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| document | COM(2008)507  |
| date | August 4, 2008 |
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52008PC0507
Proposal for a Council Decision on a negotiation mandate authorizing the Commission to negotiate an agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Department of Energy of the United States of America (USDOE) in the field of nuclear security research and development. /* COM/2008/0507 final */
[pic] | COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES |
Brussels, 4.8.2008
COM(2008) 507 final
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
On a negotiation mandate authorizing the Commission to negotiate an agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Department of Energy of the United States of America (USDOE) in the field of nuclear security research and development.
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
On a negotiation mandate authorizing the Commission to negotiate an agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Department of Energy of the United States of America (USDOE) in the field of nuclear security research and development.
(presented by the Commission)
COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL
On a negotiation mandate authorizing the Commission to negotiate an agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Department of Energy of the United States of America (USDOE) in the field of nuclear security research and development.
The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Department of the Energy of the United States of America (USDOE) have been cooperating together since 1982 in order to improve and strengthen the methodologies and technologies necessary for the implementation of nuclear safeguards.
In 1995, the agreement was amended to include the commitment of the two partners to coordinate their respective activities in support for third countries. The main goal was then to ensure optimum collaboration between the programme of support for Russia and for other countries of the former Soviet Union carried out by the Joint Research Centre under the TACIS Programme and under similar programmes launched by the USDOE.
The development of the TACIS programme and the success of this collaboration led both partners to widen the field of their cooperation in numerous areas exceeding the context of nuclear safeguards, covering also activities related to research, development and training in the field of nuclear security. The Commission considers that this broadening of the scope necessitates an appropriate legal framework.
The importance assumed by security matters in the broad sense and the strengthening of transatlantic cooperation give a political context particularly favorable to this widened collaboration.
Such collaboration is already in place in the context of the Generation IV International Forum (GIF) and it is proposed to strengthen it in the context of the bilateral relations Euratom /USA.
In the light of the above, the Council is invited to:
- - Authorise the Commission to open and conduct negotiations with the USDOE, on a widening of the agreement of 1995, to include research, development and training in the field of nuclear security, by replacement of the latter and in accordance with Article 101, paragraph 2 of the Euratom Treaty.
- - Adopt the draft negotiation mandate in annex.
Proposal for a
COUNCIL DECISION
On a negotiation mandate authorizing the Commission to negotiate an agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Department of Energy of the United States of America (USDOE) in the field of nuclear security research and development.
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 101, second paragraph, thereof,
Having regard to the memorandum of the Commission,
Whereas:
(1) An agreement has been signed on 6 January 1995 between Euratom and the USDOE in the field of nuclear material safeguards research and development,
(2) This agreement has to be amended to be widened to all the aspects of nuclear security research and development,
(3) The Commission should be authorised to negotiate an agreement, which will replace the agreement of 1995,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Sole Article
The Commission is hereby authorised, complying with the mandate annexed to this decision, to negotiate an Agreement between the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) and the Department of the Energy of the United States of America (USDOE) in the field of nuclear security research and development. This Agreement will amend and replace the agreement signed on 6 January 1995.