JOINT MEETING WITH THE COUNTRIES OF CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE (CCEE)

The Council had its third structured dialogue with the CEECs ( the previous meetings took place on 9 June 1995 and on 25 March 1996). The discussion centred on the future 5th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP5).

As the meeting aimed at obtaining a clear insight into the views of the CEECs on the substance of FP5 and on their participation in the programme, the Presidency suggested that the Ministers intervene , in particular, on the following topics:

1. The substance of FP5

2. Modes of participation/association

3. Financing of participation/association

4. Implementation

5. Role of INCO ( International Cooperation for specific research, technological development and demonstration programme in the field of cooperation with the third countries and international organisations 1994-98) programme in FP5.

At the end of the exchange of views, the Chairman summed up that

"Ministers reaffirmed the importance of the structured dialogue in the preaccession phase and the role of RTD in improving EU/CCEE integration. They agreed to take this process further under FP5.

EU Ministers took note of the priorities expressed by the CCEE on the content of FP5 and agreed to take their views into account in the deliberations on the scientific and technological content of FP5. They further invited the Commission to examine with the CCEEs ways and means of facilitating the transition to full association with FP5 and took note of the Commission's ideas for possible transitional arrangements.

CCEE Ministers and EU Ministers further agreed:

- to intensify the dialogue on RTD policy issues, in particular by:

= promoting exchanges of views between national experts of the Member States in FP5 programme Committees and representatives of the CCEE participating in the programmes concerned;

= in order to better acquaint the CCEE with the functioning of the Framework Programme an increased participation of CCEE experts, for the projects and programmes in which they participate, in FP5 project evaluation panels and in the annual programme monitoring panels.

- to make full use of the possibilities for cooperation in the wider European context, in particular through COST and EUREKA;

- to explore means of facilitating CCEE participation in FP5 including the financial aspects. In this context, the possibility of using PHARE funds might be further explored, subject to the outcome of the ongoing review of PHARE, as well as the ideas put forward by the Commission concerning degressive financing;

- to examine other possibilities offered by the INCO programme, with particular emphasis on the promotion of centres of excellence in the CCEE and networking with other centres of excellence in the European Union.

CCEE Ministers and EU Ministers emphasized the importance of institutional learning and adaptation as a necessary means to further cooperation and integration. They called for mutually reinforcing bilateral and Community supported efforts in this regard, and wish to examine how the 5th Framework Programme could assist such efforts based on and building on individual countries' efforts."

5th RTD FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

On 15 May 1997, the Council had a substantive debate on the 5th Framework Programme, taking into account the preparatory work done by the Permanent Representatives Committee and the Scientific and Technological Committee (CREST).

In conclusion, the Council noted that there was consensus on a large number of issues. However, on a number of matters divergences of view still exist and these need to be examined in greater depth.

The President summed up the state of discussions as set out in Annex I. Furthermore, 14 delegations agreed on the joint conclusions set out in Annex II; the Spanish delegation was not in a position to support these conclusions.

ANNEX I

PRESIDENCY CONCLUSIONS

ON THE FIFTH RTD FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

"1. Objectives

The Council generally endorsed the objectives of the Commission's proposal as fulfilling Article 130f of the Treaty and, in particular, enhancing competitivity and quality of life and contributing to job creation;

2. Evaluation and monitoring

All delegations welcomed the accomplishment of a comprehensive five-year evaluation of the results of Community RTD policy, undertaken by independent teams of experts (including the Davignon Report), as well as annual monitoring reports of all the specific programmes;

They noted, however, that certain aspects require further attention so as to improve the quality of the evaluation exercises in the future, in particular by paying more attention to the ultimate results of Community RTD policy;

They took note that these evaluation and monitoring reports, which contain recommendations on several aspects of Community RTD policy, could be taken into account in the deliberations on the 5th Framework Programme.

3. Criteria

All delegations stressed that scientific excellence and European added value are prerequisites for Community research;

Moreover, the 3 categories of criteria (European added value and subsidiarity; social objectives; economic development and scientific and technological prospects) proposed by the Commission were generally considered to constitute a good basis for the definition of objectives and activities in the framework programme; delegations considered, however, that the criteria are rather broad and need to be supplemented and/or refined so as to be an effective tool in defining clear objectives and key actions; it was also agreed that the criteria should all apply to each of the thematic and horizontal programmes, to the key actions and all the other programme activities.

4. Structure

All delegations welcomed the emphasis in the Commission's proposals on problems and challenges at European level, with a view to strengthening the competitiveness of European industry and contributing to other European policies, thereby meeting the needs of the European citizens;

A majority of delegations further favour greater concentration of research efforts and consider that such concentration can best be achieved through the development of clearly defined objectives and focused activities on the basis of strict and simultaneous application of the three categories of criteria.

A large majority of delegations favour one or two more thematic programmes, a few favour even more. More information by the Commission is considered necessary on the proposed thematic programmes, especially as regards "the living world and the ecosystem" and "competitive and sustainable growth" which, in the view of some delegations, are too heterogeneous and should be grouped in a more coherent manner. Preferences expressed for new thematic programmes concern areas such as environment, energy, social sciences and transport. These preferences are not shared by all delegations.

Several delegations consider that, for the thematic programmes to have a clearer profile, to be visible and manageable, a further detailed description of the objectives to be covered by each programme is required and a more precise identification and definition of their respective activities, including implementation procedures and the balance of priorities between activities within each thematic programme.

5. Key Actions

All delegations agree that key actions constitute an innovative and important element of the 5th Framework Programme;

Key actions should be problem-orientated and clearly defined corresponding to the criteria and be specifically targeted to the objectives of each programme and to the desired results, taking into account views of users. They should have a clear European focus. The "key action" is regarded as a cluster of small and large, applied, generic and, as appropriate, basic research projects directed towards a common European challenge or problem.

6. Generic technologies and basic research

All delegations agree that generic technologies and basic research play an important role and consider that they should focus on clearly defined objectives; some delegations, moreover, consider they should complement the key actions and, as far as possible, be an integral part of them.

The Council further called on the Commission to clarify the relationship between key actions and generic technologies and basic research.

7. Research infrastructure

Whilst noting that the construction and operation of research infrastructure is the responsibility of national authorities, a majority of delegations agree that Community support for infrastructure should aim at promoting more rational and cost-effective use and further development of research infrastructures in the Member States. Several delegations, moreover, considered that such support should be catalytic and should not fund capital or operating costs.

It was generally agreed that networking and transnational access to research facilities constitute the principal means of ensuring pooling of efforts and enhancing complementarity.

8. Coordination

All delegations underline the importance of complementarity and effective coordination between programmes, with other policies/activities of the Union and between European and national activities. They are of the opinion, however, that further discussion is needed as to how such coordination would be brought about. Additional information is needed in this respect, in particular on management aspects and the decision-making process, including the role of the programme committees and the relationship with other Community instruments; They recalled, in this context, the need for further progress in implementing Article 130 h of the Treaty;

A large majority of delegations invite the Commission to devise concrete steps with a view to further developing coordination with EUREKA and COST on the basis of complementarity and avoiding duplication of effort.

9. Flexibility

A large majority of delegations support the introduction of greater flexibility, which should primarily be achieved at the implementing level, e.g. through programme planning (annual adaptation of work programmes) and sound financial management (controlled rate of expenditure).

Most delegations expressed doubts concerning the idea of creating a "free-space" within programmes, as proposed by the Commission. One delegation supported this idea and suggested the introduction of a flexible "bottom-up" component in the key actions.

10. Implementation and management

All delegations consider efficient and transparent implementation and management to be essential for ensuring the achievement of the Framework Programme and for reducing costs for participating companies and laboratories.

They noted the Commission's suggestion to provide on an ad hoc basis to personal representatives of the Ministers, in the very near future, more detailed information on the modalities of programme implementation and management, in particular on the role of the programme committees (which must be able to provide Member States with the necessary assurances on the management of the programme) and the advisory groups, and on the involvement of Member States, industry, users and the scientific community; mechanisms for coordination between programmes and between key actions and other activities; modalities for establishing the work programmes and for processing and selecting proposals.

11. Innovation and SMEs

All delegations, recalling the conclusions adopted by the Council on the Action Plan for Innovation as well as the Council Conclusions on SMEs of 5 December 1996, consider that these conclusions should be taken into account in the elaboration of FP5 when defining measures to promote innovation at Community level and facilitate participation of SMEs, taking also into account the importance of dissemination and optimization of research results.

12. International Cooperation

All delegations stress the importance of international cooperation in the field of RTD, in particular with the associated CEECs, the NIS, the Mediterranean countries and the developing countries, taking account of specific needs of these countries on the basis of mutual interest.

I. All delegations underline the importance of the structured dialogue with the associated CEECs and note their RTD priorities and agree to take into account their views in the deliberations on the scientific and technological content of the 5th Framework Programme;

In the light of the outcome of the structured dialogue of 14 May 1997 the Commission is invited to examine, with the CEECs, ways and means of facilitating the transition to full association with FP5. In this respect the use of PHARE-funds could be explored, subject to the outcome of the ongoing review of PHARE; greater involvement of CEECs in the implementation of the projects and programmes in which they participate, for example, participation in project evaluation panels and in the annual programme monitoring panels could be foreseen; exchanges of views should be held between CEEC representatives and national experts of the Member States in the different programme committees.

II. All delegations stress the importance of RTD cooperation with the NIS, taking into account other cooperation schemes such as TACIS between the European Union and the NIS, to contribute to maintaining the scientific and technological potential of the NIS and to improving regional RTD cooperation.

III. All delegations underline the importance of the continuation of the Barcelona process and look forward to the results of the Fourth meeting of the Monitoring Committee on Euro-Mediterranean scientific and technological cooperation, to be held in the Netherlands from 19 to 21 June 1997 and agree that specific activities for research cooperation with the Mediterranean countries in FP5 should aim at improving RTD capacities and socio-economic and sustainable development in the Mediterranean region.

IV. Regarding developing countries, all delegations:

- underline the role of research as an instrument for addressing major challenges in sustainable development and recalls that research collaboration must be seen in the long-term perspective;

- stress the importance of an overall strategy for RTD policy for development and for greater coherence and complementarity through effective coordination and improved links between RTD policy and development policies;

- agree to maintain specific activities for research cooperation for sustainable development in the context of the 5th Framework Programme and to enhance development relevance of these RTD activities.

13. Budgetary aspects

The Council welcomed the Commission's intention to supplement its proposal with the overall budget for FP5 in the course of July 1997. Many delegations were reluctant to express themselves on budgetary aspects in the absence of a Commission proposal for the total amount. Some favoured continuation of the present budget, some would favour an increase. Some indicated that the overall amount would depend on the content of the Framework Programme.

14. Procedure

In conclusion, the Council:

- agreed, whilst recognising various uncertainties such as the financial perspectives, to make every effort to enable the effective implementation of FP5 as from the beginning of 1999;

- as regards the Euratom programme, invited the Scientific and Technical Committee to make its opinion available to the Commission as soon as possible. As regards Fusion, invited the Commission to elaborate by 1 October 1997 different scenarios, in particular the five suggested in the Presidency note on Fusion, including consequences for FP5 and possible budgetary implications. These could be examined in the Council in November 1997 in the context of the discussion on nuclear fusion in the long-term perspective of the different energy options and with a view to preparing the decisions on the Commission's proposals on the Fifth Framework Programme;

- invited CREST to provide an opinion on the scientific and technical content of the Framework Programme as soon as possible;

- invited Coreper to continue examination of the Commission's proposals in the light of these different opinions and information, so as to enable the Council to reach a common position on the EC Framework Programme and political agreement on the Euratom Framework Programme as soon as possible and preferably by the end of 1997."

ANNEX II

CONCLUSIONS

ON THE 5TH FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME

SUPPORTED BY 14 DELEGATIONS

"The Council:

- generally endorsed the objectives of the Commission's proposal as fulfilling Article 130f of the Treaty and, in particular, enhancing competitivity and quality of life and contributing to job creation;

- agreed, whilst recognising various uncertainties, to make every effort to enable the effective budgetary implementation of FP5 as from the beginning of 1999;

- noted that the decision on FP5 should be consistent with the financial perspectives;

- undertook to further examine the key actions and generic technologies and basic research, with the aim of more concrete objectives and clearer priorities; in particular considered that the number of key actions should remain limited (in principle to 25 or less); noted that a number of proposals for additional key actions have been put forward by a number of Member States;

noted that key actions constitute an innovative and important element of the 5th Framework Programme; considered that key actions should be problem-orientated and clearly defined corresponding to the criteria and be specifically targeted to the objectives of each programme and to the desired results, taking into account sustainability, the views of users, the need for flexibility related to the role of SMEs and changing technologies. They should have a clear European focus. Therefore, the "key action" is regarded as a cluster of small and large, applied, generic and, as appropriate, basic research projects directed towards a common European challenge or problem;

agreed that generic technologies and basic research play an important role and should focus on a limited number of clearly defined objectives, including human and social issues;

called on the Commission to clarify the relationship between the key actions and generic technologies and basic research;

- undertook to further analyze the structure of FP5; considered that the thematic programmes 1 and 3 ("the living world and ecosystem" and "competitive and sustainable growth") are too heterogeneous and should be arranged in a more coherent manner; considered that the number of thematic programmes, whilst remaining limited, should be in principle between 4 and 6;

- welcomed the Commission's suggestion to consult on an ad hoc basis with personal representatives of the Ministers, in the very near future, on the modalities of programme implementation and management, in particular on the role of the programme committees (which must be able to provide Member States with the necessary assurances on the management of the programme) and the advisory groups, and on the involvement of Member States, industry, users and the scientific community; mechanisms for coordination between programmes and between key actions and other activities; modalities for establishing the work programmes and for processing and selecting proposals;

- underlined the importance of complementarity and effective coordination between programmes, with other policies/activities of the Union and between Community and national activities; is of the opinion, however, that further discussion is needed as to how such coordination would be brought about. Additional information is needed in this respect, in particular on management aspects and the decision-making process, including the role of the programme committees and the relationship with other Community instruments; recalled, in this context, the need for further progress in implementing Article 130 h of the Treaty;

- stressed the importance of international cooperation in the field of RTD, in particular with the associated CEECs, the NIS, the Mediterranean countries and the developing countries, taking account of specific needs of these countries on the basis of mutual interest. Reaffirmed, in particular, the importance of the structured dialogue with the CEECs in the preaccession phase and invited the Commission to examine with the CEECs ways and means of facilitating the transition to full association with FP5;

- recalling the conclusions it has adopted at this meeting on the Action Plan for Innovation as well as the Council Conclusions on SMEs of 5 December 1996, considered that these conclusions should be taken into account in the elaboration of FP5 when defining measures to promote innovation at Community level and facilitate participation of SMEs, taking also into account the importance of dissemination and optimization of research results;

- noted the Commission's intention to provide Council with a definite proposal for the overall budget of FP5 in the course of July 1997;

- invited CREST to provide an opinion on the scientific and technical content of the Framework Programme as soon as possible;

ACTION PLAN FOR INNOVATION - Council conclusions

The Council adopted the following conclusions on an action plan for innovation in Europe:

"THE COUNCIL,

Having examined the Green Paper on Innovation submitted to the Council on 22 December 1995 and in the light of the consultations that the Commission has had in the Member States in relation to the Green Paper;

Having regard to the conclusions of the European Council in Florence on 21-22 June 1996 which requested the Commission to establish a Plan of Action for the measures to be undertaken in the field of innovation;

Having examined the Commission communication entitled "The First Action Plan for Innovation in Europe", submitted to the Council on 25 November 1996 with a view to providing a follow-up to the Green Paper on Innovation;

notes that there is an innovation deficit in the European Union which is complicated by the diversity of national, regional and sectoral situations;

considers that action needs to be taken to promote innovation in view of the important contribution it can make to competitiveness, social and economic development and employment;

notes that innovation should be understood in the widest sense of the term, that is: as the successful production, assimilation and exploitation of novelty in the economic and social spheres;

considers, therefore, that a global approach is necessary so as to create a climate conducive to innovation, which would take into account, inter alia, the following aspects: technological factors, which should not be limited to high-technology sectors but should also include traditional industries and services; education and training; mobility of students and researchers; the legal and regulatory environment, including the existing European patent system and intellectual property rights issues; and administrative, organisational, financial and social aspects;

notes in particular the Commission's intention to draw up a green paper on the issue of a Community patent and awaits with interest its legislative proposals on copyright and related rights in the information society;

endorses the framework of action identified in the Commission's Action Plan for Innovation, namely to foster a genuine innovation culture, to establish a framework favourable to innovation and to gear research more closely to innovation both at national and Community level;

considers that the implementation of innovative measures is primarily the responsibility of individuals and companies and that the role of national governments and other competent public authorities, such as regional bodies, could mainly be directed towards creating an environment conducive to innovation;

further considers that, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity as laid down in Article 3b of the Treaty and taking account also of the responsibilities of the Member States in the field of education and vocational training, as laid down in Articles 126 and 127 of the Treaty, the European Community has also a role to play in the field of innovation, e.g. by supporting additional measures, by eliminating obstacles between Member States, by disseminating information and best practices and by stimulating cooperation; where appropriate, better use should be made of existing Community instruments in support of innovation, subject to the rules and conditions applicable to these instruments;

considers that, in the field of education and vocational training, account must be taken of the ongoing discussions concerning the Green Paper on obstacles to mobility and the chapter on education and vocational training in the White Paper on growth, competitiveness and employment;

believes that actions to promote vocational training for innovation, including exchanges of information and the development of new skills in training for innovation, could be encouraged based on existing instruments, in particular CEDEFOP;

favours the promotion of an efficient and innovation-oriented cooperation between science, industry and commerce, including services, e.g. the ongoing exercise of benchmarking;

recognises the importance of propagation of the best management and organisational methods among business, including facilitated access to expertise for SMEs;

recalls that many actions are already implemented by Member States and the Commission within existing frameworks and that action at Community level should also take into account the work carried out by the OECD and other international fora;

notes that action to promote innovation is relevant to many types of organisation including SMEs, larger companies, research organisations and public bodies, but that special simplified procedures to encourage SME participation in RTD activities and actions to facilitate technology transfer are needed;

considers that efforts being undertaken to simplify legislation both at Community level, inter alia in the framework of the SLIM (Simplification of Legislation in the Internal Market) exercise in the context of the internal market, and at national level, should take account of the need to facilitate innovation;

considers that particular attention should be paid within the 5th Framework Programme to, inter alia, the following aspects:

- the establishment of a simple horizontal framework for promoting innovation which, in view of the responsibilities of the specific programmes for their own implementation, including measures to promote innovation and ensure technology transfer, should complement, and ensure effective coordination with, the relevant activities of the specific programmes and should, moreover, facilitate participation of SMEs through, inter alia, provision of information on intellectual property issues;

- more account should be taken of the innovation dimension in the selection, implementation and monitoring of projects; particular emphasis should be placed on the optimisation and transfer of research results to companies and other users, through the presentation of detailed exploitation and dissemination plans;

- exchange of experience, dissemination of results and technology transfer through improvement of existing networks, in particular through further exploitation of Innovation Relay Centres, rationalisation of database systems, including strengthening of the CORDIS system; transnational technology transfer between and within sectors and regions should be further promoted;

- improvement of opportunities for strengthening the ability of SMEs to absorb innovative technologies and know-how, by fostering participation in the specific programmes, including collaborative projects, e.g. by means of a complementary entry point for facilitating SME access, by simplification and acceleration of procedures and payments, thus leading, inter alia, to reduction of costs;

- the integration of the different aspects of innovation and the promotion of best practices, for example through workshops, trend charts and where appropriate technology transfer projects with a demonstrative effect;

- additional efforts for the development of human potential in the context of innovation through promoting training and mobility and exchanges of researchers and scientists, in particular for SMEs, as well as strengthening contacts between the academic, scientific and industrial communities;

welcomes the Commission's intention to draw up a common reference framework in consultation with Member States for the implementation of this Action Plan and to present appropriate concrete proposals to Council for action at Community level to promote innovation."

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION AGREEMENT BETWEEN THE EC AND THE UNITED STATES

The Council took note of a progress report presented by Commissioner Cresson on the negotiations on the S/T Agreement with the US.

It is recalled that one of the objectives of the New Transatlantic Agenda (NTA) and the accompanying Action Plan between the European Union and the United States of 3 December 1995 was the conclusion of a comprehensive S/T Cooperation Agreement in 1997.

INFORMATION SUPER HIGHWAY FOR RESEARCH IN EUROPE

The Council took note of a German proposal for an information super highway for research in Europe. The Council invited the Commission to take further action so as to enable the Council to revert to this issue at a forthcoming session.

OTHER DECISIONS

Adopted without discussion.

FISHERIES

Guinea

Following the exchange of letters approved on 20 June 1996, the Council adopted a Regulation concerning the conclusion of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 1 January 1996 to 31 December 1997, the fishing rights and financial compensation for fishing off the Guinean coast.

This Regulation is the result of negotiations between the Community and the Republic of Guinea, which culminated in the initialling of a new Protocol on 6 December 1995.

The Agreement provides that, for a period of two years beginning on 1 January 1996, fishing rights are as follows:

(1) trawlers (fin-fish, cephalopods and shrimp): 5 000 grt a month, annual average;

(2) freezer tuna seiners: 28 vessels;

(3) pole-and-line tuna vessels: 7 vessels;

(4) surface longliners:7 vessels.

The financial compensation is set at ECU 2 450 000, payable in two annual instalments of ECU 1 150 000 and ECU 1 300 000 respectively.

The fishing rights may be increased at the Community's request by successive instalments of 1 000 grt a month, annual average. In that case, the financial compensation will be increased proportionately.

The Community will also contribute the sum of ECU 400 000 towards the financing of a Guinean scientific or technical programme to improve information on the fishery resources within Guinea's exclusive economic zone.

To that end the Community will make it easier for nationals of Guinea to find places in establishments in its Member States and will provide for that purpose awards for study and practical training in the various scientific, technical and economic disciplines relating to fisheries.

The Community will also contribute to the financing of the following programmes:

- support for fisheries surveillance bodies: ECU 350 000;

- institutional aid for the Ministry of Fisheries: ECU 300 000;

- aid for non-industrial fishing: ECU 250 000.

Angola

Following the exchange of letters approved on 24 September 1996, the Council adopted a Regulation concerning the conclusion of the Protocol establishing, for the period from 3 May 1996 to 2 May 1999, the fishing rights and financial compensation for fishing off the Angolan coast.

This Regulation is the result of negotiations between the Community and the Republic of Angola, which culminated in the initialling of a new Protocol on 2 May 1996.

The Agreement provides that from 3 May 1996, for a period of three years, fishing rights shall be as follows:

1) Shrimp vessels:6 550 GRT per month, as an annual average (maximum 22 vessels).

However, the quantities to be fished by Community vessels may not exceed 5 000 tonnes of shrimps and prawns per year, of which 30% shall be prawns and 70% shrimps.

2) Demersal trawlers: 2 000 GRT per month, as an annual average.

3) Bottom longliners, fixed gillnets: 1 750 GRT per month, as an annual average.

4) Freezer tuna seiners: 9 vessels.

5) Surface longliners: 12 vessels.

6) On a trial basis: fishing of pelagic species - two vessels.

The financial compensation is set at ECU 31 million payable in three equal annual instalments.

If vessels withdraw from the Agreement and the Angolan authorities do not agree to their replacement by other vessels, the resulting reduction in fishing opportunities for the Community shall entail a proportional adjustment of the financial compensation foreseen.

The Community shall also contribute ECU 5 million towards the financing of Angolan scientific and technical programmes (equipment, infrastructure, monitoring, seminars, studies, institutional support for nonindustrial fishing, etc.). Part of this amount may be used to cover Angola's contributions to international fisheries organizations.

During the life of this Protocol the Community shall provide ECU 350 000 annually for scientific studies and fishery surveys. Moreover,the Community shall provide the Angolan nationals with study and practical training grants in the various scientific, technical and economic disciplines related to fisheries through grants not exceeding ECU 3 million.

TRADE POLICY

Agreements on trade in textile products

The Council approved the renewal of the textile agreements concluded with Belarus, China, Russia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.

The Council also approved the amendment of the textile agreements with Albania, Belarus, China, Mongolia, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan and Vietnam, in order to take account of the accession of Austria, Finland and Sweden to the European Union in 1995.

United States - Information Technology Agreement (ITA)

The Council approved the corrected version of the Communication on the Implementation of the Ministerial Declaration on Trade in Information Technology Products. This Decision formalizes the technical adaptations decided on by the participants in the ITA when they met in Geneva on 25 and 26 March 1997. It should be pointed out that the Council's agreement to the conclusion of the ITA was subject to technical finalization by the participants in the Agreement.