COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 25 March 1996

on perspectives for international cooperation in the field of research and technological development

(96/C 110/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having examined the Commission communication of 20 October 1995 on Perspectives for International Cooperation in the field of RTD, and in the light of the opinion of the Scientific and Technical Research Committee (Crest),

(1) ENDORSES the five overall objectives for future Community policy further to strengthen and increase cooperation in RTD with third countries, as follows:

- strengthen European competitiveness and develop technologies for future markets,

- develop partnership in science and technology, in particular with third countries of strategic interest to the Community,

- share responsibility and conduct RTD on economic and social challenges,

- promote RTD relevant to the needs and priorities of developing countries for fostering their sustainable growth,

- share S& T information and contribute to large scale and frontier science and technology.

(2) EMPHASIZES that cooperation with third countries in the field of RTD should continue to be based on the following principles: subsidiarity; mutual benefit; consistency with other Community policies, in particular the Union's external policies; efficiency and quality.

(3) UNDERLINES the need for a differentiation in approach between the different third country partners for economic, political and geographical reasons. WELCOMES therefore the Commission's intentions to present supplementary papers concerning international cooperation with specific groups of third countries.

(4) CONSIDERS that in a global market, world-wide cooperation in research should be promoted through all appropriate means, including, as appropriate, external participation in the Framework Programme and bilateral agreements.

CONSIDERS that cooperation in particular with industrialized third countries and countries with emerging economies should be carried out on the basis of reciprocal access to RTD programmes.

(5) STRESSES the importance of reinforced cooperation in RTD with the countries of central and eastern Europe and the Baltic States as part of the structured dialogue with these countries and States, as well as with the Mediterranean countries and with the New Independent States.

In this context, CONSIDERS that use could be made of other Community instruments (e.g. Phare, Tacis, Meda), when requested by beneficiary countries under the established systems of dialogue and within the limits defined for these instruments, to support RTD infrastructure and capacity building, and to promote the participation of partners from these countries in projects under the Community Research Framework Programmes.

(6) UNDERLINES that cooperation with developing countries should take account of the specific needs of these countries, including the least developed countries, and should in particular aim at reinforcing their research capacities and promoting greater regional integration of these capacities with a view to their sustainable development (1).

(7) SUPPORTS increased involvement of industry in international RTD cooperation based on the experience already gained from industrial participation in the European Union's RTD programmes and as a means of enhancing European competitiveness in a global context.

(8) STRESSES the importance of better coordination and interaction with Eureka and COST activities in order to promote international RTD cooperation in Europe in an efficient manner.

(9) AGREES that the principles laid down in this Resolution could serve as a basis for further reflection on the approach to international RTD cooperation.

(1) See also statement by the Council and the representatives of the Member States meeting within the Council of 1 June 1995 on development research.