Council Decision
of 30 November 2009
on the signing and conclusion of the ‘Terms of Reference for the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation’ (IPEEC) and the ‘Memorandum concerning the hosting by the International Energy Agency of the Secretariat to the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation’ by the European Community
(2009/954/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 175 paragraph 1 and Article 300 paragraph 2, first subparagraph, and paragraph 3, first subparagraph,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(1),
Whereas
(1) At the initiative of the European Commission, in June 2008, members of the G8, China, India and South Korea and the Commission decided to establish an International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (IPEEC) which is to facilitate those actions that yield high energy efficiency gains. IPEEC will provide a forum for discussion, consultation and exchange of information. IPEEC is open to other countries and intergovernmental organisations.
(2) On 24 May 2009, the Terms of Reference for the International Partnership for Energy Efficiency Cooperation (the Terms of Reference) were signed in Rome by twelve States, including four Member States of the European Community.
(3) The Terms of Reference describe the cooperative activities of the IPEEC, establish its organisation, define the criteria for potential new members and contain general provisions regarding i.a. the funding of the Partnership and intellectual property rights.
(4) Article 4.2 of the Terms of Reference foresees that IPEEC is open to intergovernmental organisations and that their membership is contingent upon the signature of the Terms of Reference.
(5) IPEEC’s administrative functions would best be managed through the establishment of a secretariat. On 24 May and 22 June 2009 respectively, a Memorandum concerning the hosting by the International Energy Agency of the Secretariat to the IPEEC (the Memorandum) was signed in Rome by twelve States, including four Member States of the European Community. The IEA signed on 18 June 2009.
(6) The Memorandum describes the general principles regarding the organisation of the Secretariat, and contains provisions regarding the staffing of the Secretariat and recruitment, as well as regarding the issues of funding and budgetary procedures.
(7) Point 16 of the Memorandum foresees that any intergovernmental organisation wishing to become a member of IPEEC will be asked to sign the Memorandum.
(8) It is appropriate for the European Community to sign the Terms of Reference and the Memorandum.
(9) The European Community should pay a contribution to IPEEC for its administrative expenses.,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
EP opinion adopted on 26 November 2009, not published in the Official Journal