PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and Brazil for five years.

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2012/646/EU concerning the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Federative Republic of Brazil.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement for Scientific and Technical Cooperation between the European Community and Brazil originally entered into force on 7 August 2007, and contained a provision stating that it should initially be valid for a period of five years and might be renewed by agreement between the Parties after evaluation during the penultimate year of each subsequent renewal period (Decision 2005/781/EC).

At the fifth meeting of the Steering Committee established under Article VI(2) of the Agreement, held on 22 November 2011 in Brasilia, both Parties confirmed their interest in renewing the Agreement for another five years.

It is now appropriate to conclude the agreement on behalf of the European Union.

CONTENT: this Decision approves the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and the Brazil, for an additional period of five years, the EU having succeeded to the EC with the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty on 1 December 2009.

The Agreement originally entered into force on 7 August 2007, and contained a provision stating that it should initially be valid for a period of five years and might be renewed by agreement between the Parties after evaluation during the penultimate year of each subsequent renewal period.

The material content of the renewed Agreement is identical to that of the previous Agreement which expired on 6 August 2012.

Principles of the Agreement: the Agreement is based on the principles of:

• mutual benefit,
• reciprocal access to programmes and activities of the other party in connection with the subject of the agreement,
• non-discrimination,
• effective protection of intellectual property and
• equitable sharing of intellectual property rights.

The renewal of the agreement will allow both Brazil and the European Union to enhance cooperation and develop a more strategic partnership by increasing the scale and the scope of existing cooperation addressing key societal challenges, promoting reciprocal access to programmes and funding increasing regional cooperation, where appropriate.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 10/10/2012. The Agreement will enter into force once all of the necessary procedures have been completed.

The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution on the draft Council Decision concerning the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Federative Republic of Brazil.

The European Parliament consents to the renewal of the Agreement.

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology  (S&T) between the European Community and Brazil entered into force on 7 August 2007. It provides that the Agreement shall initially be valid for a period of five years and may be renewed by agreement between the Parties after evaluation during the penultimate year of each subsequent renewal period.

The Commission considers that it is in the interest of the European Union to renew this Agreement in order to continue to facilitate cooperation with Brazil in common S&T priority areas leading to benefits for both Parties. Both Parties confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement at the fifth meeting of the EU-Brazil Joint Steering Committee, held in Brasilia on 22 November 2011.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 186 in conjunction with point (v) of Article 218(6) (a) TFEU.

CONTENT : the Commission proposes that the Council :

·        approve, on behalf of the Union, and following the consent of the European Parliament, the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil for an additional period of five years;

·        authorise the President of the Council to designate the person(s) empowered to notify the Government of Brazil that the Union has completed its internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this renewed Agreement.

The material content of the renewed Agreement will be identical to that of the current Agreement.

This decision should allow both Brazil and the European Union to enhance the cooperation and develop a more strategic partnership by increasing the scale and the scope of existing cooperation addressing key societal challenges, promoting reciprocal access to programmes and funding increasing regional cooperation where appropriate.

The Agreement is based on the principles of mutual benefit, reciprocal access to programmes and activities of  the other party in connection with the subject of the agreement, non-discrimination, effective protection of intellectual property and equitable sharing of intellectual property rights. The renewal of the Agreement will allow for increased scientific knowledge leading to market access opportunities.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the estimated impact on expenditure in commitment appropriations is EUR 0.660 millions for the period 2012-2017. 

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology (S&T) between the European Community and Brazil entered into force on 7 August 2007. It provides that the Agreement shall initially be valid for a period of five years and may be renewed by agreement between the Parties after evaluation during the penultimate year of each subsequent renewal period.

The Commission considers that it is in the interest of the European Union to renew this Agreement in order to continue to facilitate cooperation with Brazil in common S&T priority areas leading to benefits for both Parties.

Both Parties confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement at the fifth meeting of the EU-Brazil Joint Steering Committee, held in Brasilia on 22 November 2011.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 186 in conjunction with point (v) of Article 218(6) (a) TFEU.

CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, it is provided that the Union approves, following the European Parliament’s consent, the renewal for an additional period of five years of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

The material content of the renewed Agreement will be identical to that of the current Agreement which expires on 6 August 2012. The only amendments concern the replacement of the term “European Community” by the term “European Union” as a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.

The proposed Decision should allow both Brazil and the European Union to enhance the cooperation and develop a more strategic partnership by increasing the scale and the scope of existing cooperation addressing key societal challenges, promoting reciprocal access to programmes and funding increasing regional cooperation where appropriate.

Principles of the Agreement: the Agreement is based on:

• the principles of mutual benefit,
• reciprocal access to programmes and activities of the other party in connection with the subject of the agreement,
• non-discrimination,
• effective protection of intellectual property,
• equitable sharing of intellectual property rights.

The renewal of the Agreement will allow for increased scientific knowledge leading to market access opportunities.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the estimated impact on expenditure in commitment appropriations is EUR 0.660 millions for the period 2012-2017. 

The Committee on Industry, Research and Energy adopted, under the simplified procedure, the report drafted by Amalia SARTORI (EPP, IT) recommending that the European Parliament gives its consent to the conclusion of the renewal of the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology (S&T) between the European Community and Brazil entered into force on 7 August 2007. It provides that the Agreement shall initially be valid for a period of five years and may be renewed by agreement between the Parties after evaluation during the penultimate year of each subsequent renewal period.

The Commission considers that it is in the interest of the European Union to renew this Agreement in order to continue to facilitate cooperation with Brazil in common S&T priority areas leading to benefits for both Parties.

Both Parties confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement at the fifth meeting of the EU-Brazil Joint Steering Committee, held in Brasilia on 22 November 2011.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 186 in conjunction with point (v) of Article 218(6) (a) TFEU.

CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, it is provided that the Union approves, following the European Parliament’s consent, the renewal for an additional period of five years of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

The material content of the renewed Agreement will be identical to that of the current Agreement which expires on 6 August 2012. The only amendments concern the replacement of the term “European Community” by the term “European Union” as a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.

The proposed Decision should allow both Brazil and the European Union to enhance the cooperation and develop a more strategic partnership by increasing the scale and the scope of existing cooperation addressing key societal challenges, promoting reciprocal access to programmes and funding increasing regional cooperation where appropriate.

Principles of the Agreement: the Agreement is based on:

• the principles of mutual benefit,
• reciprocal access to programmes and activities of the other party in connection with the subject of the agreement,
• non-discrimination,
• effective protection of intellectual property,
• equitable sharing of intellectual property rights.

The renewal of the Agreement will allow for increased scientific knowledge leading to market access opportunities.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the estimated impact on expenditure in commitment appropriations is EUR 0.660 millions for the period 2012-2017. 

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology (S&T) between the European Community and Brazil entered into force on 7 August 2007. It provides that the Agreement shall initially be valid for a period of five years and may be renewed by agreement between the Parties after evaluation during the penultimate year of each subsequent renewal period.

The Commission considers that it is in the interest of the European Union to renew this Agreement in order to continue to facilitate cooperation with Brazil in common S&T priority areas leading to benefits for both Parties.

Both Parties confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement at the fifth meeting of the EU-Brazil Joint Steering Committee, held in Brasilia on 22 November 2011.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 186 in conjunction with point (v) of Article 218(6) (a) TFEU.

CONTENT: with this proposed Decision, it is provided that the Union approves, following the European Parliament’s consent, the renewal for an additional period of five years of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

The material content of the renewed Agreement will be identical to that of the current Agreement which expires on 6 August 2012. The only amendments concern the replacement of the term “European Community” by the term “European Union” as a consequence of the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon.

The proposed Decision should allow both Brazil and the European Union to enhance the cooperation and develop a more strategic partnership by increasing the scale and the scope of existing cooperation addressing key societal challenges, promoting reciprocal access to programmes and funding increasing regional cooperation where appropriate.

Principles of the Agreement: the Agreement is based on:

• the principles of mutual benefit,
• reciprocal access to programmes and activities of the other party in connection with the subject of the agreement,
• non-discrimination,
• effective protection of intellectual property,
• equitable sharing of intellectual property rights.

The renewal of the Agreement will allow for increased scientific knowledge leading to market access opportunities.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the estimated impact on expenditure in commitment appropriations is EUR 0.660 millions for the period 2012-2017. 

PURPOSE: to renew the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil.

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Agreement on cooperation in science and technology  (S&T) between the European Community and Brazil entered into force on 7 August 2007. It provides that the Agreement shall initially be valid for a period of five years and may be renewed by agreement between the Parties after evaluation during the penultimate year of each subsequent renewal period.

The Commission considers that it is in the interest of the European Union to renew this Agreement in order to continue to facilitate cooperation with Brazil in common S&T priority areas leading to benefits for both Parties. Both Parties confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement at the fifth meeting of the EU-Brazil Joint Steering Committee, held in Brasilia on 22 November 2011.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment has been undertaken.

LEGAL BASIS: Article 186 in conjunction with point (v) of Article 218(6) (a) TFEU.

CONTENT : the Commission proposes that the Council :

·        approve, on behalf of the Union, and following the consent of the European Parliament, the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and Brazil for an additional period of five years;

·        authorise the President of the Council to designate the person(s) empowered to notify the Government of Brazil that the Union has completed its internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of this renewed Agreement.

The material content of the renewed Agreement will be identical to that of the current Agreement.

This decision should allow both Brazil and the European Union to enhance the cooperation and develop a more strategic partnership by increasing the scale and the scope of existing cooperation addressing key societal challenges, promoting reciprocal access to programmes and funding increasing regional cooperation where appropriate.

The Agreement is based on the principles of mutual benefit, reciprocal access to programmes and activities of  the other party in connection with the subject of the agreement, non-discrimination, effective protection of intellectual property and equitable sharing of intellectual property rights. The renewal of the Agreement will allow for increased scientific knowledge leading to market access opportunities.

BUDGETARY IMPLICATIONS: the estimated impact on expenditure in commitment appropriations is EUR 0.660 millions for the period 2012-2017.