Commission adopts proposal for scientific cooperation agreement with Ukraine

Brussels, 26 April 2002

The European Commission has approved a draft scientific and technological cooperation agreement with Ukraine and submitted it to the Council for final approval.

The draft agreement provides for the participation of Ukrainian researchers in certain European Community projects and the reciprocal involvement of EU-based groups in equivalent Ukrainian projects. This exchange will involve scientific and technological organisations as well as agencies and official bodies in the EU and Ukraine.

Ukrainian entities may participate on a project by project basis (without Community funding) in EU RTD (research and technological development) projects. They can participate in calls for proposals and submit projects as part of a consortium that includes EU-based groups. Their participation in the Fifth Framework programme (FP5) is based on competition with other groups, never on pure aid.

Visits and exchanges of scientists, engineers and other appropriate personnel will be organised in order to enable participation in seminars and workshops. Information will be exchanged on practices, legislation, regulations and programmes.

The agreement also envisages the shared use of research facilities, including installations and sites for observation, experimentation and data collection. Provision is made for the protection of intellectual property and an equitable sharing of intellectual property rights.

The areas for co-operation are:
- environment and climate research, including earth observation;
- biomedical and health research;
- agriculture, forestry and fisheries research;
- industrial and production technologies;
- materials research and metrology;
- non-nuclear energy;
- transportation;
- information society technologies;
- social sciences research;
- science and technology policy;
- training and exchange of scientists.

Agreements on nuclear safety and thermonuclear fusion were signed in July 2001. Other areas may be added to the above list upon recommendation by the Joint Community-Ukraine committee that will oversee the agreement.

In October 2001, the Council authorised the Commission to negotiate a scientific and technological cooperation agreement between the Community and Ukraine. The agreement will be concluded for an initial period ending 31 December 2002 and will be renewable by agreement between the two parties for additional periods of five years.

To see the full draft agreement, please consult the following web address in Netscape: http://europa.eu.int/eur-lex/en/com/pdf /2002/com2002_0178en01.pdf

CORDIS RTD-NEWS/© European Communities, 2001