RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement continuing the International Science and Technology Center

2.12.2016 - (08558/2016 – C8‑0214/2016 – 2016/0120(NLE)) - ***

Committee on Foreign Affairs
Rapporteur: Elmar Brok

Procedure : 2016/0120(NLE)
Document stages in plenary
Document selected :  
A8-0363/2016
Texts tabled :
A8-0363/2016
Debates :
Texts adopted :

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement continuing the International Science and Technology Center

(08558/2016 – C8‑0214/2016 – 2016/0120(NLE))

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the draft Council decision (08558/2016),

–  having regard to the draft Agreement continuing the International Science and Technology Center (12681/2015),

–  having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Articles 31(1) and 37 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 180 and 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C8-0214/2016),

–  having regard to Rule 99(1), first and third subparagraphs, Rule 99(2), and Rule 108(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–  having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Foreign Affairs (A8-0363/2016),

1.  Gives its consent to conclusion of the agreement;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of participating Parties to the Agreement.

SHORT JUSTIFICATION

Background

Two intergovernmental organizations, ISTC (in Astana) and the Science and Technology Centre in Kiev, Ukraine (STCU), exist to support research and development projects with scientists and engineers with dual-use knowledge mainly originating in the weapons of mass destruction programmes of the former USSR.

The ISTC has been originally established in 1994 by the United States of America, Japan, the Russian Federation, and, acting as one party, the European Atomic Energy Community and European Economic Community, on the basis of a 1992 Agreement as an inter-governmental organization in Moscow. This was during a period of time of closer international cooperation between former Cold War adversaries, aimed at reduction of risks of the military knowledge falling into the wrong hands. Nevertheless, decreased trust and divergent foreign policy objectives between the former signatories have caused that the Russian Federation announced withdrawal of its participation in 2010, which subsequently entered into force in July 2015.

The aim of the current Council Draft Decision it to conclude the Agreement continuing the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) after the withdrawal of Russian participation, signed on 9 December 2015, requiring Parliament’s consent in order to enter into force for the parts falling under the competence of the Treaties on the EU, and on Functioning of the EU, respectively.  Parts of the Agreement falling within the competence of the EURATOM Treaty have been already adopted by the EU, not requiring Parliament’s consent.

The ISTC Continuation Agreement will ensure that the on-going and new projects shall continue with a changed membership, a broader geographical scope possibly including the Middle East region, and a set of updated objectives more specifically targeting dual-use knowledge.

The Center's main purpose will be:

•  to promote the improvement of international mechanisms for the prevention of the proliferation of WMD and their delivery systems;

•  to give scientists and engineers with relevant knowledge and skills opportunities for training and alternative employment in a peaceful manner;

•  to promote a culture of security;

•  to contribute through its activities in a wider sense:

a)  to the development of international scientific partnership, strengthening global security, and fostering economic growth through innovation;

b)  to basic and applied research and technology development and commercialization, which would also benefit the European continent; and

c)  to promoting the further integration of relevant scientists into the international scientific community.

The Center shall have:

•  a Governing Board, where all Parties are represented, making decision by a consensus on its policy, projects, and rules; and

•  a Secretariat.

The Parties may establish a Scientific Advisory Committee in order to receive scientific advice.

The Agreement foresees that all the activities will benefit from the tax-free regime and other tax privileges in the recipient countries, and accords immunities and privileges to participating personnel, in compliance with the 1961 Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations.

Possibility of accession by other countries is also foreseen in the Agreement.

The Agreement’s review shall be undertaken two years after its entry into force.

Rapporteur’s position

The rapporteur shares the concern about the global security and safety challenges posed by the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (incl. nuclear, radiological, chemical, and biological), and therefore fully supports measures aimed at preventing proliferating of know-how, technology and materials, as well as their means of delivery in this respect in accordance with United Nations Security Council Resolutions, and G8 commitments, aimed at States and non-State actors attempting to acquire or use them.

In this context, the rapporteur recommends to give consent to the Agreement providing continuation of activities of the ISTC moved to Astana, Kazakhstan, following withdrawal of Russia from the Center in July 2015, as announced in 2010.

The rapporteur takes note that the cooperation with the Russian Federation has now ceased, despite Russia being the largest beneficiary of the program. The new venue and arrangements kindly provided by the government of Kazakhstan will continue the important work started by the previous Center in the years following the disintegration of the USSR.

The rapporteur is grateful for the Commission and the VP-HR and for its continuous efforts in support of this Center, including the continued use of EU finances, as the EU is the biggest donor in proportion to the other parties (28% of the total funding for the Center was provided by the EU since its foundation (incl. by means of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace) as well as during the negotiations on the draft Agreement.

The rapporteur reminds the Commission, VP-HR and the Council of its obligation to automatically inform the EP at the start of the negotiations including giving access to draft and adopted negotiating directives, as stipulated in Article 218 (10) TFEU, and provided for further by EU case-law.

It is important to emphasise the highly beneficial nature of this collaborative project amongst the participating countries contributing to global, and European, security and safety. Not only Parties to the Agreement will be able to benefit from these projects; these may be conducted in countries that are not Parties to this Agreement.

The Agreement review shall be undertaken two years after its entry into force. If so, Parliament should maintain its right to be involved and informed in due to during the consent procedure, should the Agreement be subject to substantial changes.

PROCEDURE – COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE

Title

Conclusion of the Agreement continuing the International Science and Technology Centre between the European Union and EURATOM acting as one Party, and Georgia, Japan, the Kingdom of Norway, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Tajikistan, and the United States of America

References

08558/2016 – C8-0214/2016 – JOIN(2016)0019 – 2016/0120(NLE)

Date of consultation / request for consent

9.6.2016

 

 

 

Committee responsible

       Date announced in plenary

AFET

22.6.2016

 

 

 

Committees asked for opinions

       Date announced in plenary

INTA

22.6.2016

ITRE

22.6.2016

 

 

Not delivering opinions

       Date of decision

INTA

23.5.2016

ITRE

4.7.2016

 

 

Rapporteurs

       Date appointed

Elmar Brok

12.7.2016

 

 

 

Discussed in committee

20.10.2016

 

 

 

Date adopted

29.11.2016

 

 

 

Result of final vote

+:

–:

0:

51

3

0

Members present for the final vote

Lars Adaktusson, Nikos Androulakis, Petras Auštrevičius, Amjad Bashir, Goffredo Maria Bettini, Elmar Brok, James Carver, Fabio Massimo Castaldo, Georgios Epitideios, Knut Fleckenstein, Eugen Freund, Sandra Kalniete, Manolis Kefalogiannis, Afzal Khan, Janusz Korwin-Mikke, Andrey Kovatchev, Eduard Kukan, Ilhan Kyuchyuk, Ryszard Antoni Legutko, Arne Lietz, Barbara Lochbihler, Andrejs Mamikins, Ramona Nicole Mănescu, Jean-Luc Mélenchon, Vincent Peillon, Alojz Peterle, Tonino Picula, Cristian Dan Preda, Sofia Sakorafa, Jacek Saryusz-Wolski, Alyn Smith, Jaromír Štětina, Charles Tannock, László Tőkés, Ivo Vajgl, Elena Valenciano

Substitutes present for the final vote

Laima Liucija Andrikienė, Brando Benifei, Luis de Grandes Pascual, Mariya Gabriel, Ana Gomes, Takis Hadjigeorgiou, Marek Jurek, Antonio López-Istúriz White, Urmas Paet, Soraya Post, Igor Šoltes, Renate Sommer, Bodil Valero, Marie-Christine Vergiat, Janusz Zemke, Željana Zovko

Substitutes under Rule 200(2) present for the final vote

Michel Reimon, Hilde Vautmans

Date tabled

2.12.2016