The agreement establishes a formal framework for cooperation aiming at encouraging and facilitating activities in science and technology fields of common interest.

The decision adopts the agreement on behalf of the European Community (now the EU).

KEY POINTS

Activities conducted under the agreement are based on:

mutual benefit;
timely exchange of information;
balanced realisation of economic and social benefits by the EU and Canada;
effective protection of intellectual property and fair sharing of intellectual property rights.

Fields of cooperation

For the EU, these include all research and technological development and demonstration activities covered by:

Article 180(a) of the TFEU — Implementation of research, technological development and demonstration programmes, by promoting cooperation with and between undertakings, research centres and universities; and
Article180(d) of the TFEU — Stimulation of the training and mobility of researchers in the Union — only concerning networks between infrastructure operators and related research projects.

For Canada, these include all non-defence science and technology activities funded or performed by departments or agencies of the Government of Canada, and may include such activities funded or performed by the provincial or territorial governments of Canada, where the relevant provincial or territorial government agrees.

Activities

Cooperation activities may include:

participation of persons and legal bodies including the Parties themselves, universities, research institutions, and other bodies or companies, in research projects in the EU or Canada in accordance with the procedures in force for each Party;
shared use of research facilities;
visits and exchanges of scientists, engineers or other appropriate personnel to participate in seminars, symposia and workshops;
exchange of information on practices, laws, regulations and programmes relevant to cooperation under this agreement;
other activities as may be determined by the Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee set up under this agreement.

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

The agreement entered into force on 27 February 1996 and it has indefinite duration.

BACKGROUND

The agreement builds on cooperation established between the EU and Canada under the 1976 framework agreement for commercial and economic cooperation.

Broader economic and trade relations between the EU and Canada are governed by the Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA).

For more information, see:

Canada and the EU (European External Action Service)

For more information about research and innovation (R&I) cooperation with Canada, see:

International cooperation — Canada (European Commission)
Roadmap for EU-Canada S&T Cooperation (European Commission).

MAIN DOCUMENTS

Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and Canada (OJ L 74, 22.3.1996, pp. 26-33)

Council Decision 96/219/EC of 26 February 1996 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and Canada (OJ L 74, 22.3.1996, p. 25)

Agreement amending the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and Canada (OJ L 156, 23.6.1999, pp. 24-25)

Consolidated version of the amended agreement (this document is meant purely as a documentation tool).

Council Decision 1999/408/EC of 29 April 1999 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement amending the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation between the European Community and Canada (OJ L156, 23.6.1999, p. 23)

Scientific and technological cooperation between the EU and Canada

SUMMARY OF:

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE AGREEMENT AND THE DECISION?

KEY POINTS

DATE OF ENTRY INTO FORCE

BACKGROUND

MAIN DOCUMENTS

RELATED DOCUMENTS