Switzerland

1.13.5. Proposal for a decision of the Council and of the Commission on the position to be taken by the Communities in the Governing Board of the International Science and Technology Centre as regards the accession of the Swiss Confederation to the agreement establishing an International Science and Technology Centre, concluded between the United States of America, Japan, the Russian Federation and, acting as one party, the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community.

References:
Council Regulation (EEC) No 3955/92 concerning the conclusion on behalf of the European Economic Community of an agreement establishing an International Science and Technology Centre between the United States of America, Japan, the Russian Federation and, acting as one party, the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community: OJ L 409, 31.12.1992
Commission Regulation (Euratom) No 3956/92 on the conclusion by the European Atomic Energy Community of an agreement establishing an International Science and Technology Centre between the United States of America, Japan, the Russian Federation, and, acting as one party, the European Atomic Energy Community and the European Economic Community: OJ L 409, 31.12.1992

Adopted on 31 July. The International Science and Technology Centre acts as an intergovernmental organisation with its own legal capacity, in accordance with the laws and regulations of the parties. The objectives of the centre are to give weapons' scientists and engineers, particularly those who possess knowledge and skills related to weapons of mass destruction or missile delivery systems, in Russia and other CIS states, opportunities to redirect their talents to peaceful activities and contribute to the solution of national or international technical problems and to the wider goals of the transition to a market-based economy responsive to civil needs. On 27 February 2007, the Swiss Confederation notified the Governing Board of the centre of its intention to become a party to the agreement. It expressed its will to support the centre's effort aimed at the non-proliferation of expertise and knowledge relating to weapons of mass destruction. For this purpose, it stated its intention to favour collaborative projects and synergies between the Swiss scientific communities, in particular the federal polytechnic schools, and the network of recipient institutes and partner organisations from all parties to the agreement. Projects involving Swiss organisations would serve peaceful and civilian research objectives, in various scientific fields. The accession of the Swiss Confederation will further promote the centre's objectives and also fits in with the concern of the parties to see their numbers enlarged, in the awareness that the successful continuation of the centre's activities necessitates solid support from the governments, foundations, academic and scientific institutions and other intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations. The present proposal aims therefore to allow the approval of the accession of Switzerland to the agreement establishing the centre.
[ COM(2007) 457 ]