ESC opinion on STEP/EPOCH Agreements (Iceland, Sweden)
The Economic and Social Committee (ESC), in its plenary session of 30 October 1991, adopted an opinion on the Commission's proposal for a Council Decision concerning the conclusion of bilateral Cooperation Agreements between the EEC and the Republic of Iceland and the Kingdom of Sweden on R&D programmes in the field of the environment, namely: Science and Technology for Environmental Protection (STEP) and the European Programme on Climatology and Natural Hazards (EPOCH). In two previously published opinions (OJ No C 139 of 5.6.1989 and OJ No C 332 of 31.12.1990) the Committee favoured the broadest possible international cooperation within these two programmes, including cooperation with non-European countries, and suggested the establishment of a joint STEP/EPOCH coordination committee which would also be responsible for relations with other non-Community programmes. The Committee notes with pleasure that these points have been taken into account in the Commission proposal.
Countries
Iceland, Sweden