Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden Concerning a Multinational Platform for The European Spallation Source  

Preamble

Governments of an array of like-minded countries are aiming towards setting up a Multinational Platform in order to advance the goal of attracting the European Spallation Source (hereafter - ESS) to Lund in southern Sweden.

In this context, the Government of the Republic of Latvia and the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden (hereinafter referred to as the Participants) wish to work together on matters of mutual scientific interest and specifically,

RECOGNISING the scientific opportunities which will be opened up by locating the large-scale European materials research infrastructure, the ESS, in an accessible location in southern Sweden;

NOTING the evident synergistic effects which will strengthen other scientific and technical disciplines over a wide international area within Europe, and which would increase the visibility on the European research map of scientific endeavour in a consortium of larger and smaller countries and enhance the impact of the European Research Area;

CONSIDERING the technological opportunities which would be created, in terms of commercial opportunities and spin-off companies, both direct and indirect;

NOTING the long-term advantages of developing the mutual support of a grouping of nations for this and future scientific projects,

THE PARTICIPIANTS HEREBY APPROVE ON:

Article 1

1. The site chosen by the ESS Scandinavia consortium for the location of ESS has evident excellent characteristics and represents the ideal site for the facility, and we declare it to be our preferred site.

2. The Participants will define joint technological and training opportunities for future co-operative ventures according to the present Memorandum of Understanding.

3. To work together to attract the ESS to Lund.

4. To explore funding opportunities for the ESS were it to be located in Lund.

Article 2

Furthermore, the Participants warmly welcome other bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between the Kingdom of Sweden and other countries who share the common opinions and goals of this Memorandum of Understanding.

Article 3

This Memorandum of Understanding will come into effect on the date of the last signature. The Memorandum of Understanding will be valid until agreement has been signed on location of ESS between the Kingdom of Sweden and European Community or a new written agreement between the Participants has been concluded

Signed in duplicate in the English language.