THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION,
Having regard to the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union,
Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No 723/2009 of 25 June 2009 on the Community legal framework for a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (ERIC) and in particular point (a) of Article 6(1) thereof,
Whereas:
(1)
The Czech Republic, the Italian Republic, the Republic of Austria, Romania, the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Slovenia submitted an application to the Commission requesting to set-up the Central European Research Infrastructure Consortium as a European Research Infrastructure Consortium (‘CERIC-ERIC’).
(2)
The Italian Republic has been chosen by the Czech Republic, the Republic of Austria, Romania, the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Slovenia as the Host Member State of CERIC-ERIC.
(3)
Each CERIC-ERIC member should contribute in kind by operating, making available and continuously upgrading one Partner Facility for a total investment value exceeding EUR 100 million and a total annual operation cost exceeding EUR 10 million.
(4)
The Italian Republic has provided a host contribution of EUR 5,5 million to the establishment and strengthening of CERIC-ERIC integrated operations, while considering further contributions to upgrade and strengthen CERIC-ERIC integration and operation, including training, technology transfer and communication.
(5)
Through the integration of national multidisciplinary analytical, synthesis and sample preparation capabilities of the Members in a unique distributed research infrastructure, CERIC-ERIC should contribute to the European Research Area.
(6)
The measures provided for in this Decision are in accordance with the opinion of the Committee established by Article 20 of Regulation (EC) No 723/2009,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION: