Date: 2025-10-08Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: Europe
Council Decision (Euratom) 2025/2031 of 29 September 2025 concerning the accession of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) to the new Framework Agreement for international collaboration on research and development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems
**Executive Summary**
This Council Decision (Euratom) 2025/2031, dated 29 September 2025, approves the accession of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) to the renewed Framework Agreement for international collaboration on research and development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems. The original Framework Agreement will expire on 28 February 2025. This decision ensures the continuity of ongoing Generation IV International Forum (GIF) research projects and activities.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Background:**
* The Generation IV International Forum (GIF) Charter was initiated in July 2001 by multiple countries to research and develop fourth-generation nuclear systems for industrial deployment by 2030.
* The GIF Charter was signed by Euratom on 30 July 2003.
* The initial Framework Agreement, setting conditions for cooperation and project arrangements, was agreed upon by GIF Parties and acceded to by Euratom in 2006.
* The Framework Agreement was extended in 2015 and will expire on 28 February 2025.
* The new Framework Agreement was negotiated to ensure continuity of ongoing research.
* **Euratom's Role:**
* Euratom's contribution to GIF R&D projects will remain within the scope of existing Council decisions on the Euratom Framework Research and Training Programme.
* Member States, their research organizations, or industry may channel contributions to R&D projects through Euratom's accession.
* **Decision:** The accession of Euratom to the Framework Agreement is approved.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder:** European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom)
* **Impact:** Euratom can continue its participation in international collaborative research and development efforts for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems.
* **Action Required:** Ensure compliance with the terms and conditions outlined in the attached renewed Framework Agreement.
**Stakeholder:** EU Member States, public and private research organizations, and industry
* **Impact:** These entities can continue to channel direct contributions to the R&D projects through Euratom's accession.
* **Action Required:** Coordinate with Euratom for channeling contributions to Generation IV R&D projects.
**Stakeholder:** GIF Parties
* **Impact:** Ensures continued collaboration and progress on Generation IV nuclear energy systems research and development with Euratom as a participant.
* **Action Required:** N/A
Key Entities Referenced
European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom): A key entity acceding to the Framework Agreement, contributing to the Generation IV research projects.
Framework Agreement for international collaboration on research and development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems: The central policy document being renewed and acceded to by Euratom.
Generation IV International Forum (GIF): An international organization focused on the research and development of fourth-generation nuclear systems.
Official Journal EN
of the European Union L series
2025/2031 8.10.2025
COUNCIL DECISION (Euratom) 2025/2031
of 29 September 2025
concerning the accession of the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) to the new
Framework Agreement for international collaboration on research and development of Generation
IV Nuclear Energy Systems
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Atomic Energy Community, and in particular the second paragraph
of Article 101 thereof,
Whereas:
(1) In July 2001, Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, the Republic of Korea, South Africa, the United Kingdom and
the United States of America initiated the Charter establishing the Generation IV International Forum (GIF Charter)
as a cooperative international endeavour to carry out the research and development (R&D) necessary to test the
feasibility and performance of fourth generation nuclear systems, and to make them available for industrial
deployment by 2030.
(2) Subsequently, the GIF Charter was signed by Switzerland on 18 February 2002, the Russian Federation on
27 November 2006, the People’s Republic of China on 28 November 2006 and Australia on 22 June 2016.
(3) The European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) acceded to GIF on 30 July 2003 by signing the GIF Charter.
(4) The international cooperation and exchange in the nuclear-related technology R&D envisaged under the GIF needed
a legal framework that provided legal security to the participants, in particular with a view to protecting the rights
generated through the research work, such as intellectual property rights.
(5) To that end, the GIF Parties agreed on a Framework Agreement setting the conditions for cooperation and for
subsequent system and project arrangements (Framework Agreement), to which Euratom acceded in 2006.
(6) In 2015, the Framework Agreement was extended for another 10-year period and will expire on 28 February 2025.
(7) In order to ensure the continuity of the ongoing GIF research projects and activities, mutually willing States Party to
the Framework Agreement negotiated a renewal of the Framework Agreement, in view of the current geopolitical
situation.
(8) The Euratom contribution to GIF R&D projects will remain within the scope of Council decisions on the Euratom
Framework Research and Training Programme.
(9) Any Member State, its public or private research organisations or its industry may channel its direct contribution to
those R&D projects through Euratom’s accession to the Framework Agreement.
(10) The accession of Euratom to the Framework Agreement should therefore be approved,
HAS ADOPTED THIS DECISION:
ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2031/oj 1/2EN
OJ L, 8.10.2025
Sole Article
The accession of the European Atomic Energy Community to the attached Framework Agreement for international
collaboration on research and development of Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems is hereby approved.
Done at Brussels, 29 September 2025.
For the Council
The President
M. BØDSKOV
2/2 ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2025/2031/oj