Signing of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and The European Community on Cooperation in Science and Technology

November 30, 2009
Japanese

The signing of the Agreement between the Government of Japan and the European Community on Cooperation in Science and Technology took place in Brussels on November 30 (Mon) between Mr. Nobutake Odano, Ambassador of Japan to the European Union, on the Japanese side, and Mr. Christian Danielsson, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of the Kingdom of Sweden to the European Union, Chairman of the Committee of Permanent Representatives, and Mr. Janez Potočnik, Member of the European Commission with responsibility for Science and Research, on the EC side.

Main Points of the Agreement

(1) The Agreement stipulates the framework to promote cooperation in science and technology between both parties (the Government of Japan and the European Community).

(2) It also stipulates that both parties shall establish a joint Committee to review and discuss the accomplishments of the cooperative activities under the Agreement, and that the details and procedures of each cooperative activity under the Agreement may be decided between the Parties, their agencies or official institutions engaged in that cooperative activity.

Meaning of the Agreement

This symbolic Agreement is expected to contribute to further development of the close and friendly relations between Japan and the European Union. It is also expected that the open-type funding schemes of both sides will be recognized among research institutions more widely, and the number of research cooperation using the funding systems will increase.

Entry into Force of the Agreement

The Agreement shall enter into force on the date on which the Parties exchange diplomatic notes informing each other that their respective internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the Agreement have been completed.

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