In order to reinforce and upgrade cooperation with the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), the European Commission has signed a new Memorandum of Understanding to cover issues such as reinforced cooperation through joint activities to consolidate and further develop ERA and implement and follow up the European Strategy for Particle Physics, as well as consultations and exchange of information on issues of mutual interest. The text has been published in the OJEU on June 24th.

This Memorandum of Understanding between the European Commission and the Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN), replaces the Administrative Arrangement of 10 October 1994, given the recent developments with regard to the European Research Area (ERA), and the exploratory discussions which emphasised the appropriateness for the Commission to reinforce and upgrade cooperation with CERN.

For the drafting of this Memorandum of Understanding, the Commission has specially considered the European Strategy for Particle Physics adopted unanimously on July 14th 2006, as well as the Seventh Framework Programme of the European Community for research, technological development and demonstration activities, or the text of the 2007 Green Paper on new perspectives for the European Research Area (ERA) , which called for greater cooperation and strengthened partnership with intergovernmental research organisations such as CERN, notably as regards research programming, training and mobility of researchers, research infrastructures, intellectual property and international cooperation.

According to the Memorandum of Understanding, the Commission and CERN agree to cooperate with due regard to their respective competences, notably on:

• Cooperate to consolidate and further develop the European Research Area, notably concerning research programming, training and mobility of researchers, research infrastructures, management of intellectual property and international collaboration. For this purpose, they may develop joint activities.
• Cooperate in the following up and the implementation of the European Strategy for Particle Physics. For this purpose, they may develop joint activities.

Subject to its own procedures, the CERN Council will grant the Commission standing entitlement to attend its European Strategy Sessions and take the floor at these sessions, and the observer status granted in 1985 to the European Communities at the CERN Council is maintained.

Besides, the Commission will grant CERN the right to propose candidates for membership of relevant expert and advisory bodies. These experts will be nominated by the Commission subject to its own rules and procedures.