Signature France-CERN Conseil Juin 1972

An important event at the 48th Council Session was the approval of the revised Agreement between CERN and France concerning the legal status of the Organization in France. The initial Agreement was signed in 1965 when land was made available to CERN by the French government for the construction of the Intersecting Storage Rings. This land was enclosed with access only from Switzerland. The revised Agreement takes account of the fact that Laboratory II, where the SPS is being built, is largely in France with, of course, access from France. In essence, the Agreement is designed to protect the international status of CERN in all matters relating to its efficient and independent functioning. After the Council Session the Agreement was signed by M. G. Curien (left in picture 160) representing France and the CERN Directors General Dr. J.B. Adams and Professor W. Jentschke.