Recommendation for a Council Decision approving the renewal of the participation of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) in the Framework Agreement for international collaboration on research and development of Generation IV nuclear energy systems

The Generation IV International Forum (GIF), as stated in the GIF Charter, is a framework for international cooperation in research and development launched at the initiative of the USA in 2001. The objective is to pool efforts to develop new nuclear energy system designs which will provide a reliable supply of energy, while satisfactorily addressing nuclear safety, waste minimisation, nonproliferation and public concerns.

On the basis of Commission Decision C(2002)4287 of 4 November 2002, the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) adhered to GIF by signing, on 30 July 2003, the "Charter of the Generation IV International Forum". This Charter had first been signed by the initial signatories in 2001. The participation of Euratom to the Charter was extended following Commission Decision C(2011)4504 of 29 June 2011. The initial 10 years duration period was replaced on that occasion by an unlimited period, unless discontinued by unanimous consent.

In order to implement the GIF Charter, the signatories concluded a legally binding Framework Agreement for international research and development cooperation on Generation IV nuclear energy systems, setting out the conditions for cooperation and subsequent system and project arrangements. Euratom acceded to the Framework Agreement on 24 January 2006, when the duly authorised Commissioner signed an instrument of accession.

The Framework Agreement entered into force on 28 February 2005 for a period of 10 years and was extended on 26 February 2015, when four parties gave their consent to be bound by an extension agreement. It is therefore possible for Euratom and other signatories, that were unable to complete their internal approval procedures in time, to renew participation by means of a later signature.