31. 12. 94 Official Journal of the European Communities No L 361/143 COUNCIL DECISION of 15 December 1994 adopting a specific programme of research and training in the field of nuclear fission safety (reactor safety, waste management and radiation protection) (1994 to 1998) (94/920/Euratom) THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular Article 7 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission (1), which has consulted the Scientific and Technical Committee, Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament (2), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (3), Whereas, by Decision 94/268/Euratom (4), the Council adopted a framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and training for the European Atomic Energy Community (1994 to 1998) specifying inter alia the activities to be carried out in the field of nuclear fission safety; whereas this Decision takes account of the grounds set out in the preamble to that Decision; Whereas Article 2 of Decision 94/268/Euratom specifies that the framework programme is to be implemented through specific programmes adopted in accordance with Article 7 of the Treaty; whereas each specific programme is to specify its precise objectives in accordance with the scientific and technical objectives referred to in Annex III to the Decision, define the detailed rules for implementing it, fix its duration and provide for the means deemed necessary; Whereas the amount deemed necessary for carrying out this programme is ECU 160 million; whereas the appropriations for each’ financial year shall be laid down by the budgetary authority subject to the availability of resources within the financial perspectives and to the conditions set out in Article 1 (3) of Decision 94/268/Euratom; Whereas the content of the framework programme of Community activities in the field of research and training was established in accordance with the principle of (1) OJ No C 113, 23. 4. 1994, p. 4. (2) O] No C 344, 5. 12. 1994, (3) Opinion delivered on 14 September 1994 (not yet published in the Official Journal). (¥) O] No L 115, 6. 5. 1994, p. 31. subsidiarity; whereas this specific programme specifies the content of the activities to be carried out in accordance with this principle in the field of nuclear fission safety; Whereas, as is laid down in Annex III to Decision 94/268/Euratom, the Community needs a ‘Nuclear fission safety’ programme with the objective of arriving at a better understanding of nuclear safety issues and of stimulating broad collaboration between the Member States in this field; ' Whereas  Decision  94/268/Euratom (framework programme 1994 to 1998) lays down that Community action is justified if, inter alia, the research contributes to the strengthening of the economic and social cohesion of the Community and the promotion of its overall harmonious development while being consistent with the pursuit of scientific and technical quality; whereas this programme is intended to help meet these objectives; Whereas the abovementioned Decision 94/268/Euratom provides that the Community’s research actions should strengthen the technological base of Community industry and.- provide it with the knowledge and know-how required to make it more competitive at international level, while ensuring the safety of all nuclear activities; Whereas the Community should only support RTD activities of high quality; Whereas basic research in the field of nuclear fission safety must be encouraged within the Community so as to enable innovative approaches to be developed; Whereas the rules for the participation of undertakings, research centres (including the JRC) and universities, specified in Decision 94/761/Euratom (5), apply to this specific programme; Whereas this programme will help to strengthen synergy between the research and training activities carried out in the field of nuclear fission safety by research centres, universities and undertakings established in the Member States and between these and the corresponding Community research and training activities; (5) OJ No L 306, 30. 11. 1994, p. 1.