Thursday, 9th December 2010
Russia’s withdrawal from International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC)
Question for written answer E-8790/2010
to the Commission
Rule 117
Struan Stevenson (ECR)
Subject: ISTC and Russia
1. What actions did the Commission take after the decision by Russian Federation President Medvedev on 11 August 2010 to withdraw Russia from the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) in Moscow?
2. How will the Commission safeguard the work of the scientists in Russia and elsewhere should withdrawal from the ISTC international Agreement by the Russian Federation become effective?
3. Does the Commission agree that the Russian Federation’s withdrawal from the ISTC may not have any negative effect on the work of the ISTC in the other countries of the former Soviet Union, in particular, Kazakhstan and the Polygon of Semipalatinsk? And if so, which measures does it envisage to ensure that work continues and international commercial cooperation on innovation can be further developed?
4. Does the Commission support the establishment of a new multilateral scientific and technical organisation in order to assist the relevant countries in the further modernisation of their economies?
5. Does the Commission intend further discussing the Russian Federation’s withdrawal from the ISTC international agreement at the next EU-Russia Summit?
E-8790/10EN
Answer given by High Representative / Vice President Ashton
on behalf of the Commission
(3.12.2010)
1. After the decree by Russian Federation President Medvedev on 11 August 2010 to withdraw Russia from the International Science and Technology Centre (ISTC) Agreement in Moscow, the Commission has instructed the Executive Director of the ISTC not to sign any new commitment with scientific institutes due to uncertainties introduced by the decree regarding the future of the Centre. In addition, the EU sent a note verbale requesting consultations before any formal withdrawal notification is delivered. Similar requests have been put forward by other international partners.
2. Along with the other Parties of ISTC, the Commission has asked for consultations with Russia on the consequences of the decree. The objective should be to agree on a phase-out period allowing completion of all ongoing projects which have Host Government concurrence, providing thus positive conditions to achieve this for all parties concerned.
3. The ISTC Agreement as such will remain in force even after the withdrawal by Russia for all the remaining parties to the Agreement. In this context, the Commission will pursue implementation of the Stability Programme that aims at promoting civilian research activities as an alternative to defence related activities.
4. The ISTC contribution to the broad objective of cooperation on science and technology and to the wider goals of modernising ISTC member countries' economies is currently debated within the framework of a Working Party about ISTC future. The Working Party has addressed proposals for ISTC development including the option of transforming it into a new multilateral scientific and technical organisation. At present, it is premature to favour any proposals which need to be further elaborated.
5. The Commission intends to discuss the terms of Russia’s withdrawal from the ISTC Agreement in the context of consultations with all parties to the Agreement, including as part of regular consultations with Russia.
