6. We have given further
consideration to the following on the basis of a Supplementary
Explanatory Memorandum. We maintain our opinion[21]
that it raises questions of political importance, and continue
to make no recommendation for its further consideration at this
stage:-
DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY
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(17639)
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Proposed agreement allowing the European Atomic Energy Community (EURATOM) to accede to the Korean Peninsula Energy Development Organisation (KEDO).
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Legal base:
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Not yet decided, but to be derived from the EURATOM treaty.
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Introduction
6.1 The Commission was
mandated on 1 October to negotiate EURATOM's accession to KEDO.
Through participation the EU will seek to reinforce the efforts
of existing members in helping to achieve KEDO's objectives of
non-proliferation and of securing the peaceful use of nuclear
energy in the Korean peninsula. We considered the negotiating
mandate on 4 December, when we asked the Government to provide
us with a text as soon as it was available, and did not clear
the document1.
Further information from the
Government
6.2 In a Supplementary
Explanatory Memorandum (dated 28 February) the Minister for Energy
at the Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Fraser of Carmyllie)
says that, on 20 December 1996, the parties to the negotiations
initialled an accession agreement and the parallel necessary amendments
to KEDO's own Establishment Agreement. Negotiations are continuing
with KEDO on the documents including a series of important side-letters
which are intended to form part of the final agreement. These
address the issues of payment procedures/accounting and audit
requirements; nuclear liability; industrial aspects; and EU representation
in KEDO. Definitive texts could be ready during March. The EU
recorded in December that it would not be possible to adopt a
final position on the accession agreement until all the texts
were available and complete.
Conclusion
6.3 We thank the Government
for keeping us informed and maintain our request to be provided
with a copy of the text as soon as it is available. We are not
clearing the document at this stage.
21 (17639)-; see HC 36-v (1996-97), paragraph 6 (4 December 1996). Back
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