Europe Agreement between the European Communities and Hungary
The "Europe Agreement" establishes an association between the European Communities and their Member States, on the one part, and the Republic of Hungary, on the other part. The Agreement was approved by a Council Decision of 13 December 1993 (93/742/Euratom, ECSC, EC). It aims to: - Provide an appropriate framework for political dialogue between the Parties; - Establish gradually a free trade area between the EU and Hungary; - Establish new rules, policies and practices as a basis for Hungary's integration into the European Union; - Promote economic, financial and cultural cooperation on the widest possible foundation; - Support Hungary's efforts to develop its economy and to complete the conversion into a market economy; - To set up institutions to make the association effective. This wide-ranging Agreement includes a number of areas related to RTD, the transfer of technology, education and training, including participation in the specific programmes within the Framework Programmes for research and technological development: - Cooperation in science and technology: The Parties shall promote cooperation in research and technological development, with special attention to: The exchange of information on science and technology policies; organization of joint scientific and technological development meetings (seminars and workshops); joint RTD activities aimed at encouraging scientific progress and the transfer of technology and know-how; training activities and mobility programmes; the development of an environment conducive to research and the application of new technologies and adequate protection of intellectual property rights; participation in EU programmes; EU support for Hungary's participation in relevant European RTD programmes. In the above areas, technical support shall be provided where appropriate. Cooperation under the Framework Programme in research and technological development shall be implemented according to specific arrangements to be negotiated by the two Parties. - Education and training: Cooperation shall aim at a harmonized development of human resources and raising the level of general education, training and professional qualifications. A range of educational and vocational training areas are included. There will be established further institutional frameworks and plans of cooperation starting with the European Training Foundation, when this is established, and Hungary's participation in TEMPUS. Hungary's participation in other EU programmes shall also be examined in this context. - Agriculture and agro-industry: Including, inter alia, the modernization of the rural infrastructure (transport, water, supply, telecommunications); land use planning, construction and urban planning; development and modernization of processing firms; promotion of industrial cooperation and the exchange of know-how; cooperation on agricultural information systems. - Energy: Modernization; improvement and diversification of supply; formulation and planning; the development of energy resources; promotion of energy saving and energy efficiency; environmental impacts of energy production and consumption; the transfer of technology and know-how. - Environment: Cooperation shall centre on effective monitoring of pollution; combating local, regional and transboundary air and water pollution; efficient energy production and consumption and the safety of industrial plants; waste reduction and recycling; environmental impacts of agriculture; global climate change; the rehabilitation of heavily-loaded environmental areas; protection of human health against environmental hazards. In the above environmental fields, cooperation shall take the form of the transfer of technology and know-how, exchange of information and experts (including expertise on clean technologies), training programmes, and the approximation of laws (EU standards). - Telecommunications and broadcasting: Here, cooperation shall be expended and strengthened, in particular via the exchange of information on communications policies, the exchange of technical and other information and the organization of workshops and conferences for experts on both sides, training and advisory operations, technology transfer, joint projects, the promotion of European standards and the promotion of new communications services and facilities, particularly those with commercial applications. - Nuclear safety: Cooperation shall primarily aim at the safer use of nuclear energy. It shall cover topics in this field including nuclear safety, radiation protection, fuel cycle problems, radioactive waste management, decommissioning and dismantling of installations, and decontamination. RTD activities as well as exchanges of experience and information shall be undertaken.
Countries
Hungary