EUR-Lex - 32000D0261 - EN Avis juridique important | 32000D0261 Council Decision of 27 March 2000 on the improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents Official Journal L 081 , 01/04/2000 P. 0001 - 0003 Council Decisionof 27 March 2000on the improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents(2000/261/JHA)THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,Having regard to the Treaty on European Union, and in particular Article 34(2)(c) thereof,Having regard to the initiative of the Federal Republic of Germany(1),Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(2),Whereas:(1) Counterfeit travel documents have increased to an alarming extent.(2) A computerised image archiving and transmission system (FADO) has been set up by the Joint Action of the Council of 3 December 1998(3).(3) The improved exchange of information on counterfeit travel documents will make it possible to limit the counterfeiting of documents and thus make an effective contribution to combating crime and the smuggling of human beings.(4) The use of standardised information collection will facilitate and speed up the conduct of criminal proceedings.(5) This Decision does not affect the competence of the Member States relating to the recognition of passports, travel documents, visas, or other identity documents,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 11. In order to improve further the exchange between Member States of information on false documents, a reporting system for detecting counterfeit travel documents shall be used. Its purpose shall be to:(a) make it easier to detect counterfeit travel documents on inspection, and(b) increase the effectiveness of the search for stolen travel documents,with particular attention being paid to the serial number of the travel document.2. The exchange of information shall not include personal details.Article 21. The standard form set out in Annex I shall be used for the purpose of transmitting information in accordance with Article 1.2. The central unit of each Member State shall directly and without delay exchange information with the central unit of each other Member State. It shall also notify the General Secretariat of the Council.Article 31. For the purposes of the uniform collection of information which may be required for subsequent criminal proceedings relating to counterfeit travel documents, Member States shall, as far as possible, use the questionnaire set out in Annex II.2. Data required for criminal proceedings referred to in paragraph 1 shall be communicated to other Member States in accordance with national law and international conventions.Article 4This Decision shall enter into force three months after its publication in the Official Journal.Done at Brussels, 27 March 2000.For the CouncilThe PresidentF. Gomes(1) OJ C 176, 22.6.1999, p. 1.(2) Opinion delivered on 19 November 1999 (not yet published in the Official Journal).(3) OJ L 333, 9.12.1998, p. 4.ANNEX I>PIC FILE= "L_2000081EN.000202.EPS">ANNEX IIQUESTIONNAIREfor the survey of false document users in connection with the ad hoc information of Member States of the European Union on counterfeit travel documents1. Data relating to the document user(needed for further inquiries, subpoena, ect,):Name, first name, other name/alias/nick name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality, contact address.2. Information concerning the itinerary and reason for the use of the false document3. Information concerning the forger/manufacturer/dealer/organisation3.1. When, where(1) and from whom(2) was the false document received?3.2. When and where(3) did the first contact take place?3.3. What conditions did you have to fulfil, in order to receive the document?(Passport pictures, signatures, deposit, etc.)3.4. When, how and where(4) was the false document handed over?Was a meeting place arranged?3.5. How much did the false document cost?3.6. When, how and where(5) was the money handed over?3.7. To what extent did other persons take part? Who?Are other persons known to have been involved? Intermediaries?(6)3.8. Who i(7) the forger and where(8) was the false document manufactured?3.9. Could you have received other documents (falsifications)?3.10. Who(9) else received a similar false document?3.11. Where(10) are your genuine documents?(If handed over to other persons, for example the smuggler(11), exact passport data including passport number)3.12. Can you give other pertinent information?(1) If you specify a place please indicate:Country, city, building, apartment, business, railway station, restaurant, other location, means of transport, exact designation and/or description.(2) Personal data, name, first name, other name/alias/nick name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality and other important information, for example description of person, apparent age, size, weight, hair colour, special characteristics, language, addresses, telephone numbers, vehicles (make, colour, number plate, special characteristics).(3) If you specify a place please indicate:Country, city, building, apartment, business, railway station, restaurant, other location, means of transport, exact designation and/or description.(4) If you specify a place please indicate:Country, city, building, apartment, business, railway station, restaurant, other location, means of transport, exact designation and/or description.(5) If you specify a place please indicate:Country, city, building, apartment, business, railway station, restaurant, other location, means of transport, exact designation and/or description.(6) Personal data, name, first name, other name/alias/nick name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality and other important information, for example description of person, apparent age, size, weight, hair colour, special characteristics, language, addresses, telephone numbers, vehicles (make, colour, number plate, special characteristics).(7) Personal data, name, first name, other name/alias/nick name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality and other important information, for example description of person, apparent age, size, weight, hair colour, special characteristics, language, addresses, telephone numbers, vehicles (make, colour, number plate, special characteristics).(8) If you specify a place please indicate:Country, city, building, apartment, business, railway station, restaurant, other location, means of transport, exact designation and/or description.(9) Personal data, name, first name, other name/alias/nick name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality and other important information, for example description of person, apparent age, size, weight, hair colour, special characteristics, language, addresses, telephone numbers, vehicles (make, colour, number plate, special characteristics).(10) If you specify a place please indicate:Country, city, building, apartment, business, railway station, restaurant, other location, means of transport, exact designation and/or description.(11) Personal data, name, first name, other name/alias/nick name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, nationality and other important information, for example description of person, apparent age, size, weight, hair colour, special characteristics, language, addresses, telephone numbers, vehicles (make, colour, number plate, special characteristics).

Summary: Exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents Exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents To curb the counterfeiting of travel documents and related crime by setting up a system for the exchange of information between Member States on false travel documents. ACT Council Decision of 27 March 2000 on the improved exchange of information to combat counterfeit travel documents [Official Journal L 81 of 01.04.2000] SUMMARY The decision makes provision for the use of a reporting system for detecting counterfeit travel documents. This system should make it easier to: Detect counterfeit travel documents on inspection; Search for stolen travel documents. The central unit of each Member State will without delay exchange information on counterfeit and stolen travel documents with the central unit of each other Member State by using the standard form attached to the Council decision. It will also notify the General Secretariat of the Council. The exchange of information will not include personal details. A questionnaire attached to the Council decision (Annex II) will be used for the purposes of the uniform collection of information which may be required for subsequent criminal proceedings relating to counterfeit travel documents. Data will be communicated in accordance with national law and international conventions. References Act Entry into force Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal Decision of 27 March, 2000 01.07.2000 - Official Journal L 81 of 01.04.2000 Last updated: 14.07.2006


EUR-Lex - 22000A1116(01) - EN Avis juridique important | 22000A1116(01) Convention on the Protection of the Rhine - Protocol of Signature Official Journal L 289 , 16/11/2000 P. 0031 - 0037 TRANSLATIONConvention on the Protection of the RhineTHE GOVERNMENTS OFTHE FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY,THE FRENCH REPUBLIC,THE GRAND DUCHY OF LUXEMBOURG,THE KINGDOM OF THE NETHERLANDS,THE SWISS CONFEDERATION,and THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITY,Desiring to work towards the sustainable development of the Rhine ecosystem on the basis of a comprehensive approach, taking into consideration the natural wealth of the river, its banks and alluvial areas,Desiring to step up their cooperation on conserving and improving the Rhine ecosystem,Referring to the Convention of 17 March 1992 on the protection and use of transboundary watercourses and international lakes and the Convention of 22 September 1992 on the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic,Taking into account the work carried out under the Agreement of 29 April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution and the Additional Agreement of 3 December 1976,Considering that efforts must be made to further the improvement in water quality achieved under the Convention of 3 December 1976 for the protection of the Rhine against chemical pollution and under the Rhine Action Programme of 30 September 1987,Aware that the restoration of the Rhine is also necessary to conserve and improve the ecosystem of the North Sea,Aware of the importance of the Rhine as a European waterway and of its various uses,HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1DefinitionsFor the purposes of this Convention:(a) "Rhine" means the Rhine from the outlet of Lake Untersee and, in the Netherlands, the branches Bovenrijn, Bijlands Kanaal, Pannerdensch Kanaal, IJssel, Nederrijn, Lek, Waal, Boven-Merwede, Beneden-Merwede, Noord, Oude Maas, Nieuwe Maas and Scheur and the Nieuwe Waterweg as far as the base line as specified in Article 5 in connection with Article 11 of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Ketelmeer and the IJsselmeer;(b) "Commission" means the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR).Article 2ScopeThis Convention applies to:(a) the Rhine;(b) groundwater interacting with the Rhine;(c) aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems which interact or could again interact with the Rhine;(d) the Rhine catchment area, insofar as its pollution by noxious substances adversely affects the Rhine;(e) the Rhine catchment area, insofar as it is of importance for flood prevention and protection along the Rhine.Article 3AimsThe Contracting Parties shall pursue the following aims through this Convention:1. sustainable development of the Rhine ecosystem, in particular through:(a) maintaining and improving the quality of the Rhine's waters, including the quality of suspended matter, sediments and groundwater, notably by- preventing, reducing or eliminating as far as possible pollution caused by noxious substances and by nutrients from point sources (e.g. industry and municipalities) and diffuse sources (e.g. agriculture and traffic) - including that from groundwater - and pollution from shipping,- ensuring and improving the safety of installations and preventing incidents and accidents;(b) protecting populations of organisms and species diversity and reducing contamination by noxious substances in organisms;(c) maintaining, improving and restoring the natural function of the waters; ensuring that flow management takes account of the natural flow of solid matter and promotes interactions between river, groundwater and alluvial areas; conserving, protecting and reactivating alluvial areas as natural floodplains;(d) conserving, improving and restoring the most natural habitats possible for wild fauna and flora in the water, on the river bed and banks and in adjacent areas, and improving living conditions for fish and restoring their free migration;(e) ensuring environmentally sound and rational management of water resources;(f) taking ecological requirements into account when implementing technical measures to develop the waterway, e.g. for flood protection, shipping or the use of hydroelectric power;2. the production of drinking water from the waters of the Rhine;3. improvement of sediment quality in order that dredged material may be deposited or spread without adversely affecting the environment;4. general flood prevention and protection, taking account of ecological requirements;5. to help restore the North Sea in conjunction with the other actions taken to protect it.Article 4PrinciplesTo this end, the Contracting Parties shall be guided by the following principles:(a) precautionary principle;(b) principle of preventive action;(c) principle of rectification, as a priority at source;(d) polluter pays principle;(e) principle of not increasing damage;(f) principle of compensation in the event of major technical measures;(g) principle of sustainable development;(h) application and development of the state of the art and best environmental practice;(i) principle of not transferring environmental pollution from one environment to another.Article 5Undertakings by the Contracting PartiesTo achieve the aims set out in Article 3, and in the light of the principles set out in Article 4, the Contracting Parties undertake:1. to step up their cooperation and to inform one another, particularly regarding actions taken in their territory to protect the Rhine;2. to implement in their territory the international measuring programmes and the studies of the Rhine ecosystem agreed upon by the Commission and to inform the Commission of the results;3. to carry out analyses with a view to identifying the causes of and parties responsible for pollution;4. to initiate the autonomous actions they deem necessary in their territory, and in any event ensure that(a) discharging of waste water liable to affect water quality is subject to prior authorisation or to general rules laying down emission limits;(b) discharges of hazardous substances are gradually reduced with a view to complete elimination;(c) compliance with authorisations and general rules is monitored, as are discharges;(d) authorisations and general rules are periodically examined and adjusted where substantial improvements in the state of the art so permit or where the state of the receiving medium so necessitates;(e) the risk of pollution from incidents or accidents is reduced as far as possible by regulations, and the requisite measures are taken in the event of an emergency;(f) technical measures liable to have a serious effect on the ecosystem are subject to prior authorisation, along with the necessary conditions, or to general regulations;5. to initiate the necessary actions in their territory to implement decisions taken by the Commission in accordance with Article 11;6. in the event of incidents or accidents that might threaten the quality of the water of the Rhine or in the event of imminent flooding, immediately to inform the Commission and the Contracting Parties liable to be affected, in accordance with the warning and alert plans coordinated by the Commission.Article 6Commission1. To implement this Convention, the Contracting Parties shall pursue their cooperation within the Commission.2. The Commission shall have legal personality. In the territory of the Contracting Parties it shall, in particular, enjoy the legal capacity conferred on legal persons by domestic law. It shall be represented by its Chairman.3. Questions of labour legislation and social matters shall be governed by the law of the country in which the Commission has its seat.Article 7Organisation of the Commission1. The Commission shall consist of the delegations of the Contracting Parties. Each Contracting Party shall appoint its delegates, one of whom shall be head of delegation.2. The delegations may enlist the services of experts.3. The Commission shall be chaired for three years by each delegation in turn in the order of Contracting Parties listed in the preamble. The delegation chairing the Commission shall appoint the Chairman. The Chairman shall not act as spokesman for his delegation.Should a Contracting Party waive its right to chair the Commission, the next Contracting Party shall take the Chair.4. The Commission shall draft its rules of procedure and financial regulations.5. The Commission shall decide on matters of international organisation, the working structure it deems necessary and the annual operating budget.Article 8Tasks of the Commission1. To achieve the aims set out in Article 3 the Commission shall accomplish the following tasks:(a) prepare international measuring programmes and studies of the Rhine ecosystem and make use of their results, in cooperation with scientific institutions if necessary;(b) make proposals for individual measures and programmes of measures, where appropriate including economic instruments and taking into account the expected costs;(c) coordinate the Contracting States' warning and alert plans for the Rhine;(d) evaluate the effectiveness of the actions decided upon, notably on the basis of the reports of the Contracting Parties and the results of the measuring programmes and studies of the Rhine ecosystem;(e) carry out any other tasks entrusted to it by the Contracting Parties.2. To this end, the Commission shall take decisions in accordance with Articles 10 and 11.3. The Commission shall submit an annual activity report to the Contracting Parties.4. The Commission shall inform the public as to the state of the Rhine and the results of its work. It may draft and publish reports.Article 9Plenary sessions of the Commission1. At the invitation of the Chairman, the Commission shall meet for one plenary session per year.2. Extraordinary plenary sessions may be called by the Chairman, upon his initiative or at the request of at least two delegations.3. The Chairman shall propose the agenda. Each delegation shall have the right to have items included on the agenda that it wishes to have discussed.Article 10Decision-making in the Commission1. Decisions of the Commission shall be taken unanimously.2. Each delegation shall have one vote.3. If measures to be carried out by the Contracting Parties in accordance with Article 8(1)(b) fall within the competence of the European Community, the latter shall vote with the number of votes corresponding to the number of its Member States which are Contracting Parties to this Convention, notwithstanding paragraph 2 above. The European Community shall not vote in cases where its Member States vote and vice versa.4. Abstention of only one delegation shall not constitute an impediment to unanimity. This shall not apply to the delegation of the European Community. Absence of a delegation shall be considered as abstention.5. The rules of procedure may provide for a written procedure.Article 11Implementation of Commission decisions1. The Commission shall communicate to the Contracting Parties, in the form of recommendations, its decisions on the measures referred to in Article 8(1)(b), which shall be implemented in accordance with the national law of the Contracting Parties.2. The Commission may stipulate that these decisions:(a) shall be applied by the Contracting Parties on the basis of a timetable;(b) shall be implemented in a coordinated manner.3. The Contracting Parties shall report regularly to the Commission on:(a) the legislative, regulatory and other measures they have taken with a view to implementing the provisions of this Convention and on the basis of the Commission's decisions;(b) the results of the measures implemented in accordance with subparagraph (a);(c) problems arising in the implementation of the measures referred to in subparagraph (a).4. If a Contracting Party cannot implement the Commission's decisions, in full or in part, it shall report this within a specific time limit set by the Commission on a case-by-case basis and shall give its reasons. Each delegation may submit a request for consultation, to which a response must be given within two months.On the basis of the reports from the Contracting Parties or of consultations, the Commission may decide that measures will be taken to assist the implementation of the decisions.5. The Commission shall keep a list of its decisions addressed to the Contracting Parties. The Contracting Parties shall add to the list annually with updates on the progress made in implementing the Commission's decisions, at the latest two months before the plenary session of the Commission.Article 12Secretariat of the Commission1. The Commission shall have a permanent secretariat, which shall carry out the tasks entrusted to it by the Commission and be headed by an executive secretary.2. The Contracting Parties shall decide on the headquarters of the secretariat.3. The Commission shall appoint the executive secretary.Article 13Distribution of costs1. Each Contracting Party shall bear the costs of its representation in the Commission and its working structure, and each Contracting State shall bear the costs of the studies and actions it carries out within its territory.2. The distribution of costs relating to the annual operating budget between the Contracting Parties shall be laid down in the Commission's rules of procedure and financial regulations.Article 14Cooperation with the other States, other organisations and external experts1. The Commission shall cooperate with other intergovernmental organisations and may address recommendations to them.2. The Commission may recognise as observers:(a) States that have an interest in the work of the Commission;(b) intergovernmental organisations whose work is related to the Convention;(c) non-governmental organisations, insofar as their field of interest or activities are relevant.3. The Commission shall exchange information with non-governmental organisations insofar as their fields of interest or activities are relevant. The Commission shall in particular consult such organisations before discussing decisions liable to have an important impact on them and shall inform them as soon as such decisions have been taken.4. Observers may submit to the Commission any information or reports relevant to the aims of the Convention. They may be invited to participate in Commission meetings without having the right to vote.5. The Commission may decide to consult specialists representing the recognised non-governmental organisations or other experts and invite them to its meetings.6. The conditions for cooperation and those for eligibility and participation shall be laid down in the rules of procedure and financial regulations.Article 15Working languagesThe working languages of the Commission shall be German, French and Dutch. Detailed arrangements shall be laid down in the rules of procedure and financial regulations.Article 16Settlement of disputes1. If a dispute arises between Contracting Parties regarding the interpretation or application of this Convention, the Parties concerned shall seek a solution through negotiation or any form of dispute settlement acceptable to them.2. If the dispute cannot be settled in this manner, it shall, unless the Parties to the dispute decide otherwise, be submitted, at the request of one of them, to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of the Annex to this Convention, which shall form an integral part thereof.Article 17Entry into forceEach Contracting Party will notify the Government of the Swiss Confederation once it has completed the procedures necessary to bring this Convention into force. The Government of the Swiss Confederation will confirm the receipt of notifications and also inform the other Contracting Parties. The Convention will enter into force on the first day of the second month following receipt of the last notification.Article 18Withdrawal1. Three years after its entry into force, any of the Contracting Parties may at any time withdraw from this Convention by means of a written declaration to the Government of the Swiss Confederation.2. Withdrawal from the Convention shall take effect only at the end of the following year.Article 19Repeal and continued application of current law1. With the entry into force of this Convention and notwithstanding paragraphs 2 and 3 of this Article, the following shall be repealed:(a) Agreement of 29 April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution,(b) Additional Agreement of 3 December 1976 to the Agreement of 29 April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution,(c) Convention of 3 December 1976 for the protection of the Rhine against chemical pollution.2. Decisions, recommendations, limit values and any other arrangements adopted on the basis of the Agreement of 29 April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution, the Addition Agreement of 3 December 1976 and the Convention of 3 December 1976 for the protection of the Rhine against chemical pollution shall remain applicable without any change to their legal nature, provided the Commission does not explicitly repeal them.3. The distribution of costs relating to the annual operating budget defined in Article 12 of the Agreement of 29 April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution as amended by the Additional Agreement of 3 December 1976 shall remain in force until the Commission has established a distribution in its rules of procedure and financial regulations.Article 20Original and depositThis Convention, drafted in the Dutch, French and German languages, each of the three texts being equally authentic, is deposited with the Government of the Swiss Confederation, which will transmit a certified copy to each of the Contracting Parties.Done at Berne, 12 April 1999.For the Governments ofthe Federal Republic of Germany:the Kingdom of the Netherlands:the French Republic:the Swiss Confederation:the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg:For the European Community:ANNEXARBITRATION1. Unless the parties to the dispute decide otherwise, the arbitration procedure shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of this Annex.2. The arbitral tribunal shall consist of three members. The claimant and the defendant shall appoint one arbitrator each; the two arbitrators so appointed shall by common consent designate a third who shall chair the tribunal.If the chair of the arbitral tribunal has not been appointed within two months of the appointment of the second arbitrator, the President of the International Court of Justice shall appoint an arbitrator within two further months at the request of the first party to act.3. If one of the parties to the dispute has not appointed a member of the tribunal within two months of receipt of the request provided for in Article 16 of the Convention, the other party may submit the matter to the President of the International Court of Justice who shall appoint the chair of the arbitral tribunal within a further two months. Once appointed, the chair shall request the party which has not yet appointed an arbitrator to do so within two months. Upon expiry of this time limit he or she shall submit the matter to the President of the International Court of Justice who shall make this appointment within a further two months.4. If, in one of the cases referred to above, the President of the International Court of Justice is prevented from acting or is a national of one of the parties to the dispute, the Vice-President of the Court or the most senior member of the Court who is not prevented from acting and is not a national of one of the parties to the dispute shall appoint the chair of the arbitral tribunal or an arbitrator.5. These provisions shall apply, mutatis mutandis, to the filling of posts which have become vacant.6. The arbitral tribunal shall decide on the basis of the rules of international law and in particular on the basis of the provisions of this Convention.7. As regards both procedural and substantive matters, the arbitral tribunal shall decide by a majority of its members' votes; the absence or abstention of one of the members of the tribunal appointed by the parties shall not prevent the tribunal from reaching a decision. In the event of parity of votes, the chairman shall have the casting vote. The decisions of the Tribunal shall be binding on the parties. Each party shall bear the costs of the arbitrator appointed by it and shall share the other costs equally. For other matters, the arbitral tribunal shall establish its own rules of procedure.8. In the case of a dispute between two Contracting Parties, only one of which is a Member State of the European Community, which is itself a Contracting Party, the other Party shall simultaneously transmit its request to that Member State and to the Community, which shall jointly notify the party within two months following receipt of the request whether the Member State, the Community or the Member State and the Community together are parties to the dispute. If such notification is not given within the appointed time, both the Member State and the Community shall be regarded as constituting one and the same party to the dispute for the purposes of applying this Annex. The same shall obtain when the Member State and the Community are jointly a party to the dispute.PROTOCOL OF SIGNATUREIn signing the Convention for the Protection of the Rhine, the heads of delegation in the ICPR agree upon the following points.1. The following shall remain unaffected by the Convention:(a) the Convention of 3 December 1976 for the protection of the Rhine against Pollution by Chlorides;(b) the Exchange of letters of 29 April/13 May 1983 on the abovementioned Convention, which exchange entered into force on 5 July 1985;(c) the Declaration of 11 December 1986 of the heads of delegation of the Governments Party to the Agreement of 29 April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution;(d) the Additional Protocol of 25 September 1991 on the Convention of 3 December 1976 for the protection of the Rhine against Pollution by Chlorides;(e) the Declaration of 25 September 1991 of the heads of delegation of the Governments Party to the Agreement of 29 April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution.2. "State of the art" and "best available techniques" are synonymous expressions and, like the expression "best environmental practice", must be understood as defined in the Convention of 17 March 1992 on the protection and use of transboundary watercourses and international lakes (Annexes I and II) and the Convention of 22 September 1992 for the protection of the marine environment of the north-east Atlantic (Appendix I).3. The Commission shall continue to have its seat in Koblenz.4. In cases of settlements of disputes between Member States of the European Community which do not concern any other State, Article 219 of the Treaty establishing the European Community shall apply.Done at Berne, 12 April 1999.For the Governments of:the Federal Republic of Germany:the Kingdom of the Netherlands:the French Republic:the Swiss Confederation:the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg:For the European Community:

Summary: Convention for the Protection of the Rhine Convention for the Protection of the Rhine SUMMARY OF: Convention on the Protection of the Rhine — Protocol of Signature Decision 2000/706/EC concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the Community, of the Convention for the Protection of the Rhine WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE CONVENTION AND THE DECISION? The convention is designed to ensure that signatory countries work towards the sustainable development of the Rhine ecosystem on the basis of a comprehensive approach which takes into consideration the natural wealth of the river, its banks and flood plains. The decision concludes the convention on behalf of the European Community (now the EU). The convention replaces and repeals: the 1963 Agreement concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution,the Additional Agreement of 1976 to the Agreement of April 1963 concerning the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine against Pollution, andthe 1976 Convention for the protection of the Rhine against chemical pollution. KEY POINTS The aims of the convention are as follows: the sustainable development of the Rhine ecosystem through: maintaining and improving the quality of the Rhine’s waters, and its natural function;protecting species diversity;reducing contamination;conserving and improving natural habitats for wild fauna and flora;ensuring environmentally sound management of water resources;taking ecological requirements into account when developing the waterway; the production of drinking water; improvement of sediment quality; flood protection; coordination with measures to protect the North Sea. The riparian countries (the countries through which the Rhine flows) undertake to: cooperate in taking actions to protect the Rhine; implement programmes and studies concerning the river; identify the causes of and parties responsible for pollution; ensure that technical measures liable to have a serious effect on the ecosystem, as well as discharges of waste water and hazardous substances, are subject to prior authorisation; reduce the risks of environmental accidents. The International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) is made up of representatives of the contracting states. It is chaired in turn by these states. It takes decisions unanimously and communicates them to the contracting parties. Its tasks are to: prepare studies and programmes on the Rhine ecosystem; make proposals for actions; evaluate the effectiveness of the actions carried out; coordinate warnings and alerts; inform the public as to the state of the Rhine and the results of its work. Each year, the ICPR draws up an activity report and submits it to the contracting parties. The contracting parties report regularly to the ICPR on the legislative, regulatory and other measures they have taken to implement the convention and the results of those measures. In February 2020, at a Ministerial Conference in Amsterdam, the riparian states met to take stock of the implementation of the ICPR’s ‘Rhine 2020’ programme. They also adopted the new ‘Rhine 2040’ programme for the subsequent 20-year period. ENTRY INTO FORCE The convention entered into force on 1 January 2003. BACKGROUND For more information, see: Assessment Rhine 2020 — brochure (ICPR) Ministers continue success story and adopt ‘Rhine 2040’ programme — press release (ICPR). MAIN DOCUMENTS Convention on the Protection of the Rhine — Protocol of Signature (OJ L 289, 16.11.2000, pp. 31-37) Council Decision 2000/706/EC of 7 November 2000 concerning the conclusion, on behalf of the Community, of the Convention for the Protection of the Rhine (OJ L 289, 16.11.2000, p. 30) RELATED DOCUMENTS Directive 2007/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2007 on the assessment and management of flood risks (OJ L 288, 6.11.2007, pp. 27-34) Directive 2000/60/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 23 October 2000 establishing a framework for Community action in the field of water policy (OJ L 327, 22.12.2000, pp. 1-73) Successive amendments to Directive 2000/60/EC have been incorporated into the original text. This consolidated version is of documentary value only. last update 29.06.2020


EUR-Lex - 22000D0428(01) - EN Avis juridique important | 22000D0428(01) Decision No 1/1999 of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers of 8 December 1999 on exceptional aid for highly-indebted ACP countries Official Journal L 103 , 28/04/2000 P. 0073 - 0074 Decision No 1/1999 of the ACP-EC Council of Ministersof 8 December 1999on exceptional aid for highly-indebted ACP countries(2000/307/EC)THE ACP-EC COUNCIL OF MINISTERS,Having regard to the Fourth ACP-EC Convention, as amended by the Agreement signed in Mauritius on 4 November 1995, and in particular Article 282(5) thereof,Whereas:(1) The ACP countries have consistently and repeatedly pressed for more ambitious initiatives to reduce their external debt.(2) At the G7 summit in Cologne in June 1999, Ministers approved an enhanced initiative to provide faster, deeper and broader debt relief. As a result of the proposed improvements the total cost of the initiative is set to double, bringing it to a total of over USD 27,4 billion.(3) On 26 October 1999, the Commission adopted a communication on a Community participation in the debt-relief initiative for highly indebted poor countries (HIPCs).(4) Although significant sums have been pledged to finance the HIPC initiative, further resources still need to be mobilised to cover the full amount of the multilateral share of the enhanced initiative.(5) Unallocated programmable resources from the eighth European Development Fund (EDF) and its predecessors are available for this purpose.(6) At the annual World Bank/IMF meetings in Washington in September 1999, the donor community took an amibitious set of political decisions closely linking poverty alleviation strategies, structural adjustment programmes and the debt reduction initiative.(7) A significant Community contribution to the HIPC Trust Fund managed by the World Bank would play a crucial part in ensuring the overall success of this initiative.(8) In this context separate decisions will be adopted in accordance with the appropriate procedures to deal with the external indebtedness of HIPCs other than members of the ACP group, and budget resources should be used for this purpose as part of the Community's development aid policy for the countries of Asia and Latin America.(9) The conclusions of the meeting held in Accra on 13 November 1999 between the Commission and the ACP Development Finance Cooperation Ministerial Committee have been taken into account.(10) A decision of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers is required in order to mobilise the abovementioned programmable resources,HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1Unallocated programmable resources from the eighth EDF and earlier Funds may be used in the form of grants for the following purposes:(i) meeting the outstanding debt and debt-servicing obligations to the Community of the first ACP countries which qualify under the HIPC initiative (EUR 320 million);(ii) contribution to the overall financing of the HIPC initiative by providing up to EUR 680 million for the HIPC Trust Fund managed by the World Bank.Article 2The aid referred to in Article 1(i) will be used for ACP countries currently expected to qualify (i.e. reach their decision point) before 2001. For countries which qualify at a later date, it will, if necessary, be supplemented from further available EDF resources on the basis of a further ACP-EC Council decision.In line with other major multilateral creditors, the Community will also use these resources to alleviate the debt-servicing burden in the interim period of the HIPC initiative, on the understanding that this contribution will be deducted from the relief it is to provide subsequently at completion point.Article 3The aid referred to in Article 1(ii) will be mobilised in accordance with a schedule and arrangements to be laid down by the Commission taking into account both the needs of the countries concerned and actual disbursements made by other donors.Without prejudice to the use of resources from the Community budget of the benefit of non-ACP countries, the contribution referred to in Article 1(ii) will be assigned solely to ACP countries, with particular reference to the needs of the African Development Bank.Article 4The resources referred to in Article 1(i) and (ii) will be mobilised in accordance with the rules and procedures for the implementation of financial cooperation under the ACP-EC Convention.Special arrangements will be made within the framework of general coordination with other donors to use the new budgetary margin of manoeuvre generated by the Community's contribution for the development of social sectors in the ACP countries and for poverty alleviation.Article 5The Commission is requested to take the measures necessary to give effect to this Decision.Article 6This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its adoption.Done at Brussels, 8 December 1999.For the ACP-EC Council of MinistersThe PresidentJ. Horne

Summary: Exceptional aid for highly-indebted ACP States Exceptional aid for highly-indebted ACP States This Decision provides broader and faster debt relief for highly-indebted poor States from Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). ACT Decision No 1/1999 (PDF) of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers of 8 December 1999 on exceptional aid for highly-indebted ACP States. SUMMARY This decision comes under the framework of the international debt-relief initiative for highly-indebted poor countries (HIPC), launched in 1996 and extended during the G7 summit in Cologne in June 1999 in order to offer broader and faster debt relief for HIPCs. The Decision is also based on the Commission's Communication of 26 October 1999 on a Community participation in the initiative (HIPC). Unallocated programmable resources from the eighth European Development Fund (EDF) are used in the form of grants for the following purposes: meeting the outstanding debt and debt-servicing obligations to the first ACP countries (before 2001) which qualify under the HIPC initiative (EUR 320 million); contributing to the overall financing of the HIPC initiative by providing up to EUR 680 million for the initiative Trust Fund managed by the World Bank. For countries which qualify after 2001, the aid is supplemented from further available EDF resources. The aid is mobilised on the basis of arrangements laid down by the Commission in accordance with the provisions of the ACP Convention. There exist special arrangements within the framework of general coordination with other donors to use the new budgetary margin of manoeuvre for the development of social sectors and for poverty alleviation, in line with the new development strategy of the international community focusing on poverty alleviation. This Decision applies only to ACP countries. Other measures are envisaged for non-ACP countries. References Act Entry into force - Date of expiry Deadline for transposition in the Member States Official Journal Decision No 1/1999 of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers 8.12.1999 - OJ L 103 of 28.4.2000 RELATED ACTS Decision No 2/2001 (PDF ) of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers of 20 December 2001 on settling all ACP HIPC LDCs' "special loans" remaining after full application of HIPC debt alleviation mechanisms [Official Journal L 56 of 27.2.2002]. Decision No 3/2002 (PDF ) of the ACP-EC Council of Ministers of 23 December 2002 on the reallocation of unallocated resources as well as uncommitted interest subsidies from the Eighth European Development Fund (EDF) [Official Journal L 59 of 4.3.2003]. Last updated: 30.07.2007


EUR-Lex - 22000A0111(01) - EN Avis juridique important | 22000A0111(01) Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Argentine Republic Official Journal L 006 , 11/01/2000 P. 0032 - 0038 AGREEMENTfor scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Argentine RepublicThe EUROPEAN COMMUNITY (hereinafter referred to as the "Community"),on the one part, andThe ARGENTINE REPUBLIC (hereinafter referred to as "Argentina"),on the other part,hereinafter referred to as the "Parties",CONSIDERING the Framework Agreement for trade and economic cooperation between the European Economic Community and the Argentine Republic of 2 April 1990;CONSIDERING the importance of science and technology for their economic and social development;CONSIDERING the ongoing scientific and technological cooperation between the Community and Argentina;CONSIDERING that the Community and Argentina are currently pursuing research and technological activities, including demonstration projects as defined in Article 2(d), in a number of areas of common interest and that participation in each other's research and development activities on a basis of reciprocity will provide mutual benefits;DESIRING to establish a formal basis for cooperation in scientific and technological research which will extend and strengthen the implementation of cooperative activities in areas of common interest and encourage the application of the results of such cooperation to their economic and social benefit;CONSIDERING that this Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation is within the context of the global cooperation between Argentina and the Community,HAVE AGREED AS FOLLOWS:Article 1PurposeThe Parties shall encourage, develop and facilitate cooperative activities between the Community and Argentina in fields of common interest where they are pursuing research and development activities in science and technology.Article 2DefinitionsFor the purpose of this Agreement:(a) "cooperative activity" means any activity which the Parties undertake or support, pursuant to this Agreement, and includes joint research;(b) "information" means scientific or technical data, results or methods of research and development stemming from joint research and any other data deemed necessary by the participants to cooperative activities; including, as necessary, by the Parties themselves;(c) "intellectual property" shall have the meaning defined in Article 2 of the Convention establishing the World Intellectual Property Organisation, done at Stockholm, on 14 July 1967;(d) "joint research" means research, technological development or demonstration that is implemented with or without financial support from one or both Parties and that involves collaboration by participants from both the Community and Argentina and is designated as joint research in writing by the Parties or their institutions and agencies implementing the scientific research programmes. In the case where there is funding by only one Party the designation is made by that Party and the participant in that project. "Demonstration projects" are projects designed to prove the viability of new technologies which offer a potential economic advantage but which cannot be commercialised directly;(e) "participant" or research "entities" means any person moral or private, any research institute or any other legal entity or firm established in the Community or in Argentina involved in cooperative activities including the Parties themselves.Article 3PrinciplesCooperative activities shall be conducted on the basis of the following principles:(a) mutual benefit based on an overall balance of advantages;(b) reciprocal access to the activities of research and technological development undertaken by each Party;(c) timely exchange of information which may affect cooperative activities;(d) appropriate protection of intellectual property rights.Article 4Areas of cooperative activitiesCooperation under this Agreement may cover all the activities of research, technological development and demonstration, hereinafter referred to as "RTD", included in the first activity of the framework programme as described in Article 164 of the Treaty establishing the European Community and all similar RTD activities in Argentina in the corresponding scientific and technological fields.This Agreement does not affect the participation of Argentina, as a developing country, in Community activities in the field of research for development.Article 5Forms of cooperative activities(a) The Parties shall foster the participation of research entities in cooperative activities under this Agreement in conformity with their internal policies and regulations, with a view to providing comparable opportunities for participation in their scientific and technological research and development activities.(b) Cooperative activities may take the following forms:- participation of Argentine research entities in RTD projects under the first activity of the framework programme and reciprocal participation of research entities established in the Community in Argentine projects in similar sectors of RTD. Such a participation is subject to the rules and procedures applicable in the RTD programmes of each Party,- pooling of RTD projects already implemented according to the procedures applicable in the RTD programmes of each Party,- visits and exchanges of scientists and technical experts,- joint organisation of scientific seminars, conferences, symposia and workshops, as well as participation of experts in those activities,- concerted actions,- exchanges and sharing of equipment and materials,- exchanges of information on practices, laws, regulations, and programmes relevant to cooperation under this Agreement,- any other modality that would be recommended by the Steering Committee as provided for in Article 6(b) and deemed to be in conformity with the policies and procedures applicable in both Parties.The joint RTD projects shall be implemented when the participants have developed a technology management plan, as indicated in the Annex to this Agreement.Article 6Coordination and facilitation of cooperative activities(a) For the purposes of this Agreement, the Parties shall appoint the following appropriate authorities, acting as executive agents, for the coordination and facilitation of cooperative activities: on behalf of Argentina, the Secretariat of Science and Technology of the Ministry of Culture and Education, or such other authority as Argentina may at any time notify with prior written notice; and, on behalf of the Community, the representatives of the European Commission.(b) The Executive Agents shall establish a RTD Cooperation Steering Committee, hereinafter referred to as the "Steering Committee" for the management of this Agreement; this Committee shall consist of a similar number of official representatives of each Party; it shall establish its own rules of procedure.(c) The functions of the Steering Committee shall include:1. promoting and overseeing the different cooperative activities as mentioned in Article 4 of this Agreement as well as those that would be implemented in the framework of RTD cooperation for development;2. identifying, pursuant to Article 5(b), first indent, among the potential sectors for RTD cooperation, those priority sectors or subsectors of mutual interest in which a cooperation is sought;3. proposing, pursuant to Article 5(b), second indent, to the scientists of both Parties the pooling of their projects which would be of mutual benefit and complementary;4. making recommendations pursuant to Article 5(b), seventh indent;5. advising the Parties on ways to enhance and improve cooperation consistent with the principles set out in this Agreement;6. reviewing the efficient functioning and implementation of this Agreement7. annually providing a report to the Parties on the status, the level reached and the effectiveness of cooperation undertaken under this Agreement. This report will be transmitted to the Joint Committee established under the Framework Agreement for trade and economic cooperation between the European Economic Community and the Argentine Republic of 2 April 1990.(d) The Steering Committee shall, as a general rule, meet annually, preferably before the meeting of the Joint Committee established under the Framework Agreement for trade and economic cooperation between the European Economic Community and the Argentine Republic of 2 April 1990, and according to a jointly agreed schedule and shall report to it; the meetings should be held alternatively in the Community and in Argentina. Extraordinary meetings may be organised at the request of either Party.(e) Each Party shall bear the costs of its participation in the meetings of the Steering Committee. The costs other than those for travel and accommodation which are directly associated with meetings of the Steering Committee shall be borne by the host Party.Article 7Funding(a) Cooperative activities shall be subject to the availability of appropriated funds and in conformity with the applicable laws and regulations, policies and programmes of the Parties. The costs incurred by the participants in the cooperative activities will not lead to any transfer of funds from one Party to the other.(b) When specific cooperative schemes of one Party provide for financial support to participants from the other Party, any such grants, financial or other contributions from one Party to the participants of the other Party in support of those activities shall be granted tax and customs exemption in accordance with the laws and regulations applicable in the territories of each Party.Article 8Entry of personnel and equipmentEach Party shall take all reasonable steps and use its best efforts, within laws and regulations applicable in the territories of each Party, to facilitate entry to, sojourn and exit from its territory of persons, material, data and equipment involved in or used in cooperative activities identified by the Parties under the provisions of this Agreement.Article 9Diffusion and utilisation of informationThe research entities established in Argentina which are involved in Community RTD projects shall follow, as regards the ownership, the diffusion and the utilisation of information and as regards the intellectual property stemming from this involvement, the rules of diffusion of research results stemming from the Community RTD specific programmes as well as the provisions of the Annex to this Agreement.The research entities established in the Community which are involved in Argentine RTD projects have, as regards the ownership, the diffusion, and the utilisation of information and as regards the intellectual property stemming from this involvement, the same rights and the same obligations as the Argentine research entities and are subject to the provisions of the Annex to this Agreement.The Annex on intellectual property rights forms an integral part of this Agreement.Article 10Territorial applicationThis Agreement shall apply, on the one hand, to the territories in which the Treaty establishing the European Community is applied and under the conditions laid down in that Treaty, and, on the other hand, to the territory of the Argentine Republic.Article 11Entry into force, termination and dispute settlement(a) This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of the last of the written communications through which the Parties have notified each other that their respective internal procedures necessary for its entry into force have been completed.(b) This Agreement shall be concluded for an initial period of five years and may be tacitly renewed after evaluation during the penultimate year of each successive five-year period.(c) This Agreement may be amended by agreement of the Parties. Amendments shall enter into force under the same conditions as those defined in paragraph (a).(d) This Agreement may be terminated at any time by either Party upon six months' written notice via diplomatic channels. The expiration or termination of this Agreement shall not affect the validity or duration of any arrangements made under it, or any specific rights and obligations that have accrued in compliance with the Annex.(e) All questions or disputes related to the interpretation or implementation of this Agreement shall be settled by mutual agreement of the Parties.In witness whereof, the undersigned, being duly authorised thereto, have signed this Agreement.Done at Brussels on twentieth september nineteen ninety-nine, in duplicate, in the Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish languages, with each text being equally authentic.For the European Community>PIC FILE= "L_2000006EN.003501.EPS">For the Argentine Republic>PIC FILE= "L_2000006EN.003502.EPS">ANNEXINTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTSThis Annex is an integral part of the "Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Argentine Republic", hereinafter referred to as "the Agreement".Rights to intellectual property created or furnished under the Agreement shall be allocated as provided in this Annex.I. ApplicationThis Annex is applicable to joint research undertaken pursuant to the Agreement, except as otherwise agreed by the Parties.II. Ownership, allocation and exercise of rights1. For purposes of this Annex "intellectual property" (IP) is defined in Article 2(c) of the Agreement.2. This Annex addresses the allocation of rights and interests of the Parties and their participants. Each Party and its participants shall ensure that the other Party and its participants may obtain the rights to intellectual property allocated to it in accordance with this Annex. This Annex does not otherwise alter or prejudice the allocation of rights, interests and royalties between a Party and its nationals or participants, which shall be determined by the laws and practices applicable to each Party.3. The Parties shall also be guided by and contractual arrangements should provide for the following principles:(a) effective protection of intellectual property. The Parties shall ensure that they and/or their participants notify one another within a reasonable time of the creation of any intellectual property arising under the Agreement of implementation arrangements and to seek protection for such intellectual property in a timely fashion;(b) effective exploitation of results, taking into account the contributions of the Parties and their participants;(c) non-discriminatory treatment of participants from the other Party as compared with the treatment given to its own participants;(d) protection of Business-Confidential information.4. The participants shall jointly develop a technology management plan (TMP) in respect of the ownership and use, including publication of information and intellectual property to be created in the course of joint research. The TMP shall be approved by the responsible funding agency or department of the Party involved in financing the research, before the conclusion of the specific research and development cooperation contracts to which they are attached. The TMP shall be developed within the rules and regulations in force at each Party taking into account the aims of the joint research, the relative financial or other contributions of the Parties and participants, the advantages and disadvantages of licensing by territory or for fields of use, the transfer of export-controlled data, goods or services, requirements imposed by the applicable laws and other factors deemed appropriate by the participants. The rights and obligations concerning the research generated by visiting researchers (i.e. researchers not coming from a Party or a participant) in respect of IP shall also be addressed in the joint technology management plans.The TMP is a specific agreement to be concluded between the participants about the implementation of joint research and the respective rights and obligations of the participants.With respect to IP, the TMP will normally address, among other things, ownership, protection, user rights for research and development purpose, exploitation and dissemination, including arrangements for joint publication, the rights and obligations of visiting researchers and dispute settlement procedures. The TMP may also address foreground and background information, licensing and deliverables.5. Information or IP created in the course of joint research and not addressed in the technology management plan shall be allocated, with the approval of the Parties, according to the principles set out in the TMP. In case of disagreement, such information or IP shall be owned jointly by all the participants involved in the joint research from which the information or IP results. Each participant to whom this provision applies shall have the right to use such information or IP for his own commercial exploitation with no geographical limitation.6. Each Party shall ensure that the other Party and its participants may have the rights to IP allocated to them in accordance with these principles.7. While maintaining the condition of competition in areas affected by the Agreement, each Party shall endeavour to ensure that rights acquired pursuant to the Agreement and arrangements made under it are exercised in such a way as to encourage, in particular:(i) the dissemination and use of information created, disclosed or otherwise made available, under the Agreement, and(ii) the adoption and implementation of international standards.8. Termination or expiry of the Agreement shall not affect rights or obligations under this Annex.III. Copyright works and scientific literary worksCopyright belonging to the Parties or to their participants shall be accorded treatment consistent with the Berne Convention (Paris Act 1971 ). Copyright protection shall extend to expressions and not to ideas, procedures, methods of operation or mathematical concepts as such. Limitations or exceptions to exclusive rights will be confined to certain special cases which do not conflict with a normal exploitation of the work and do not reasonably prejudice the legitimate interests of the right holder.Without prejudice to Section II, and unless otherwise agreed in the TMP, publication of results of research shall be made jointly by the Parties or participants to that joint research. Subject to the foregoing general rule, the following procedures shall apply:1. In the case of publication by a Party or public bodies of that Party of scientific and technical journals, articles, reports, books, including video and software arising from joint research pursuant to the Agreement, the other Party shall be entitled to a world-wide, non-exclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free licence to translate, reproduce, adapt, transmit and publicly distribute such works.2. The Parties shall ensure that literary works of a scientific character arising from joint research pursuant to the Agreement and published by independent publishers shall be disseminated as widely as possible.3. All copies of a copyright work to be publicly distributed and prepared under this provision shall indicate the names of the author(s) of the work unless an author explicitly declines to be named. They shall also bear a clearly visible acknowledgement of the cooperative support of the Parties.IV. Inventions, discoveries and other scientific and technological achievementsInventions, discoveries and other scientific and technological achievements created under cooperative activities between the Parties themselves shall be owned by the Parties unless otherwise agreed by the Parties.V. Undisclosed informationA. Documentary undisclosed information1. Each Party, its agencies or its participants, as appropriate, shall identify at the earliest possible moment and preferably in the TMP the information that they wish to remain undisclosed in relation to the Agreement, taking into account inter alia the following criteria:(a) secrecy of the information in the sense that it is not, as a body or in the precise configuration or assembly of its components, generally known among or readily accessible by lawful means to experts in the fields;(b) the actual or potential commercial value of the information by virtue of its secrecy;(c) previous protection of the information in the sense that it has been subject to steps that were reasonable under the circumstances by the person lawfully in control, to maintain its secrecy.The Parties and their participants may in certain cases agree that, unless otherwise indicated, parts or all of the information provided, exchanged or created in the course of joint research pursuant to the Agreement may not be disclosed.2. Each Party shall ensure that it and its participants clearly identify undisclosed information, for example by means of an appropriate marking or restrictive legend. This also applies to any reproduction of the said information, in whole or in part.A Party receiving undisclosed information pursuant to the Agreement shall respect the privileged nature thereof. These limitations shall automatically terminate when this information is disclosed by the owner into the public domain.3. Undisclosed information communicated under the Agreement may be disseminated by the receiving Party to persons within or employed by the receiving Party and other concerned departments or agencies in the receiving Party authorised for the specific purposes of the joint research under way, provided that any undisclosed information so disseminated shall be pursuant to an agreement of confidentiality and shall be readily recognisable as such, as set out above.4. With the prior written consent of the Party providing undisclosed information, the receiving Party may disseminate such undisclosed information more widely than otherwise permitted in paragraph 3. The Parties shall cooperate in developing procedures for requesting and obtaining prior written consent for such wider dissemination, and each Party will grant such approval to the extent permitted by its domestic policies, regulations and laws.B. Non-documentary undisclosed informationNon-documentary undisclosed or other confidential information provided in seminars and other meetings arranged under the Agreement, or information arising from the attachment of staff, use of facilities, or joint projects, shall be treated by the Parties or their participants according to the principles specified for documentary information in the Agreement; provided, however, that the recipient of such undisclosed or other confidential or privileged information has been made aware of the confidential character of the information communicated at the time such communication is made.C. ControlEach Party shall endeavour to ensure that undisclosed information received by it under the Agreement shall be controlled as provided herein. If one of the Parties becomes aware that it will be, or may be reasonably expected to become, unable to meet the non-dissemination provisions of Sections A and B, it shall immediately inform the other Party. The Parties shall be thereafter consulted to define an appropriate course of action.

Summary: Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and Argentina Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and Argentina SUMMARY OF: Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Argentine Republic Decision 2000/15/EC on the conclusion of the agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Argentine Republic WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND OF THE DECISION? The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation, aimed at encouraging, developing and facilitating activities in the areas of science and technology of common interest. By its decision, the Council approved the conclusion of the agreement on behalf of the European Community (now the EU). KEY POINTS Activities conducted under the agreement are based on a number of principles: mutual benefit based on an overall balance of advantages; reciprocal access to activities; timely exchange of information; appropriate protection of intellectual property rights. Fields of cooperation The agreement may cover the activities within the implementation of research, technological development and demonstration programmes of both parties. Activities Cooperative activities may include the following: participation of Argentinian research entities in RTD projects under the EU Research and Innovation (R&I) Framework Programme and reciprocal participation of research entities established in the EU in Argentinian projects in similar sectors; pooling of RTD projects already implemented according to procedures applicable in R&I Programmes of each party; visits and exchanges of scientists and technical experts; joint organisation of scientific seminars, conferences, symposia and workshops, as well as participation of experts in those activities; concerted actions; exchanges and sharing of equipment and materials; exchanges of information on practices, laws, regulations and programmes relevant to cooperation under this agreement; any other modality recommended by the Steering Committee as provided for in Article 6 of the agreement. DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE The agreement entered into force on 28 May 2001 for an initial period of 5 years and may be tacitly renewed after evaluation during the penultimate year of each successive five-year period. It may be terminated at any time by either party upon six months’ written notice. BACKGROUND The basis of broader political cooperation between the EU and Argentina is the 1990 Framework Trade and Cooperation Agreement which establishes the bases for cooperation in foreign trade, the economy, agriculture and industry. For more information, see: EU-Argentina relations (European Union External Action Service). For more information about Research & Innovation (R&I) cooperation with Argentina, see: International R&I cooperation with Argentina (European Commission). MAIN DOCUMENTS Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Argentine Republic (OJ L 6, 11.1.2000, pp. 32-38) Council Decision 2000/15/EC of 2 December 1999 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Argentine Republic (OJ L 6, 11.1.2000, p. 31) last update 04.05.2020