1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 1
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►B COUNCILDECISION
of29April1999
adoptingthethirdphaseofthetrans-Europeancooperationschemeforhighereducation(Tempus
III)(2000-2006)
(1999/311/EC)
(OJ L 120, 8.5.1999, p. 30)
Amended by:
Official Journal
No page date
►M1Council Decision 2000/460/EC of 17 July 2000 L 183 16 22.7.2000
►M2Council Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000 of 5 December 2000 L 306 1 7.12.2000
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COUNCILDECISION
of29April1999
adoptingthethirdphaseofthetrans-Europeancooperationscheme
forhighereducation(TempusIII)(2000-2006)
(1999/311/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and
in particular Article 235 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament(2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social
Committee(3),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions(4),
(1)Whereas the European Council meeting in Strasbourg on 8 and 9
December 1989 called on the Council to adopt, on the basis of a
proposal from the Commission, measures aimed at enabling thecentral and eastern European countries to take part inprogrammes in the areas of education and/or training similar tothe existing Community programmes;
(2)Whereas on 18 December 1989 the Council adopted Regulation(EEC) No 3906/89 on economic aid to the Republic of Hungaryand the Polish People's Republic(
5) (PHARE programme), which
provides for aid to support the process of economic and social
reform in central and eastern European countries in areas
including training; whereas on 25 June 1996 the Council adoptedRegulation (Euratom, EC) No 1279/96 concerning the provisionof assistance to economic reform and recovery in the new inde-pendent States and Mongolia(
6) (TACIS programme);
(3)Whereas on 29 April 1993 by Decision 93/246/EEC the Counciladopted the second phase of the trans-European cooperationscheme for higher education (Tempus II) for a period of fouryears from 1 July 1994(
7); whereas that Decision was amended
on 21 November 1996 by Decision 96/663/EC(8) to extend to six
years the duration of this programme (1994-2000);
(4)Whereas the countries of central and eastern Europe, the new
independent States of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia,
which are beneficiaries of the PHARE and TACIS programmes,consider higher education and training to be key areas for theprocess of economic and social reform;
(5)Whereas cooperation on higher education strengthens anddeepens the whole fabric of relations existing between thepeoples of Europe, brings out common cultural values, allowsfruitful exchanges of views to take place and facilitates multina-tional activities in the scientific, cultural, artistic, economic and
social spheres;
(6)Whereas the recent establishment of Tempus in the non-asso-
ciated countries of central and eastern Europe, in the newindependent States of the former Soviet Union and in Mongolia,1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 2
(1) OJ C 270, 29.8.1998, p. 9, and OJ C 87, 29.3.1999, p. 102.
(2) OJ C 98, 9.4.1999.
(3) OJ C 40, 15.2.1999, p. 23.
(4) OJ C 51, 22.2.1999, p. 86.
(5) OJ L 375, 23.12.1989, p. 11. Regulation as last amended by Regulation
(EC) No 753/96 (OJ L 103, 26.4.1996, p. 5).
(6) OJ L 165, 4.7.1996, p. 1.
(7) OJ L 112, 6.5.1993, p. 34.
(8) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 36.
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whose needs are greater and whose areas are more extensive,
fully warrants the continuation of the measures undertaken;
(7)Whereas Tempus can make an effective contribution to the
structural development of higher education including the
improvement of human resources and occupational skills adaptedto economic reform and whereas there is no other instrument forachieving this objective;
(8)Whereas Tempus can also make an effective contribution, viauniversities and university staff, to the development of public
administration and education structures in the eligible countries;
(9)Whereas Tempus can contribute to the restoration of coopera-
tion, interrupted by recent events, between neighbouring regionsof the Community and whereas this cooperation is a factor ofpeace and stability in Europe;
(10)Whereas the associated countries in the pre-accession phase
which have taken part in Tempus I and Tempus II could now,
thanks to the experience they have acquired, make a usefulcontribution alongside the Member States in assisting the partnercountries who came into the programme at a much later stage torestructure their higher education systems;
(11)Whereas Article 11 of Decision 93/246/EEC stipulates that theCommission must carry out an evaluation of the implementationof the Tempus programme and submit no later than 30 April1998 a proposal for the extension or the adjustment of theprogramme for the period commencing on 1 July 2000;
(12)Whereas the competent authorities in the countries of central and
eastern Europe, the new independent States of the former Soviet
Union and Mongolia, the users of the programme, the structuresresponsible for organising it in the eligible countries and in theEuropean Community, and the experts and qualified representa-tives reflecting the views of the university world in Europe,share the findings of the evaluation report attesting to the capa-
city of Tempus to make an effective contribution in the eligible
countries to the diversification of educational opportunities andto cooperation between universities, thereby paving the way forthe development of scientific, cultural and economic and socialcooperation;
(13)Whereas the possibility should be provided of creating effective
coordination between the Tempus III programme and other
Community programmes or activities withan educational and/ortraining-related dimension, thus stimulating synergies andincreasing the added value of each of the Community activities;
(14)Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the adoption of this
Decision, powers other than those of Article 235; whereas the
conditions for invoking that Article have been satisfied,
HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:
Article 1
DurationofTempusIII
The third phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher
education (hereinafter referred to as ‘Tempus III’) is hereby adoptedfor a period of six years as from 1 July 2000.1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 3
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Article 2
Eligible countries
Tempus III concerns the countries which are beneficiaries under Regu-
lation (EC) No 2666/2000(1) and the new independent States of the
former Soviet Union and Mongolia mentioned in Regulation (EC,Euratom) No 99/2000(
2) (which replaces the old TACIS programme).
These countries are hereinafter referred to as ‘eligible countries’.
On the basis of an evaluation of the specific situation of each country
the Commission, in accordance with the procedures set out in the saidRegulations, shall agree with the eligible countries concerned whetherthey should participate in Tempus III, and the nature and conditions oftheir participation in the national planning of Community assistance for
social and economic reform.
Article 3
Involvementofassociatedcountries
Actions under Tempus III are also open to the associated countries of
central and eastern Europe so that what has been achieved throughTempus can be shared with the neighbouring countries and in order to
develop regional and cross-border cooperation. Taking into account the
respective financial rules and regulations, cooperation between Tempusand Erasmus projects should be encouraged.
Article 4
Definitions
For the purposes of Tempus III:
(a) the term ‘university’ shall be used to cover all types of post-
secondary educational and vocational training establishments which
offer, within the framework of advanced education and training,
qualifications or diplomas of that level, whatever such establish-ments may be called;
(b) the terms ‘industry’ and ‘company’ shall be used to cover all types
of economic activity, irrespective of legal status, autonomous busi-
ness organisations, chambers of commerce and industry and/or their
equivalents, professional associations, and the training bodies of theinstitutions and organisations mentioned above;
(c) the term ‘institution’ shall be used to cover local and public autho-
rities, and the social partners' and their training bodies.
EachMember State or eligible country may determine wh at types of
establishment referred to in point (a) can participate in Tempus III.
Article 5
Aims
The aim of Tempus III is to promote, in line with the guidelines and
general objectives of the PHARE and TACIS programmes foreconomic and social reform, the development of the higher education
systems in the eligible countries through the most balanced cooperation
possible with the partners from all the Member States of the Commu-nity.1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 4
(1) OJ L 306, 7.12.2000, p. 1.
(2) OJ L 12, 18.1.2000, p. 1.▼M2
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More specifically, Tempus III is intended to facilitate the adaptation of
higher education to the new socio-economic and cultural needs of theeligible countries by addressing:
(a) issues relating to the development and reshaping of curricula in the
priority areas;
(b) reform of higher education structures and establishments and their
management;
(c) the development of training leading to qualifications, with a view
to making good the shortage of high-level skills needed in thecontext of economic reform, particularly by improving andincreasing links withindustry;
(d) the contribution of higher education and training to citizenship and
the strengthening of democracy.
The Commission will, when pursuing the objectives of Tempus III,
endeavour to adhere to the Community's general policy on equal oppor-tunities for men and women. The Commission will also endeavour toensure that no group of citizens is excluded or disadvantaged.
Article 6
Dialoguewiththeeligible countries
In agreement with the competent authorities in each country, the
Commission will define the detailed priorities and objectives for the
role of Tempus III in the national strategy for economic and socialreform, on the basis of the programme's objectives and the provisionsset out in the Annex, and in conformity in particular with:
(a) (i) the general objectives of the PHARE programme;
(ii) the general objectives of the TACIS programme, with parti-
cular reference to its sectoral aspects;
(b) the policy of each eligible country on economic, social and educa-
tional reforms;
(c) the need to strike an appropriate balance between the priority areas
selected and the resources allocated to Tempus III.
Article 7
Committee
1. The Commission shall implement the Tempus III programme in
accordance with the provisions of the Annex, on the basis of detailed
guidelines to be adopted annually and following the detailed objectives
and priorities agreed with the competent authorities in each eligiblecountry, as provided for in Article 6.
2. In the performance of that task, the Commission shall be assisted
by a committee composed of two representatives appointed by eachMember State and chaired by the Commission representative. The
members of the committee may be assisted by experts and advisers.
The committee shall, in particular, assist the Commission in the imple-
mentation of the scheme having regard to the objectives set out inArticle 5 and shall coordinate its work with that of other programmecommittees established in the field of education (Socrates) and training(Leonardo).
3. The Commission representative shall submit to the Committee
drafts for measures concerning:
(a) the general guidelines governing Tempus III;
(b) the selection procedures and general guidelines for the Commu-
nity's financial assistance (amounts, duration and beneficiaries);
(c) questions relating to the overall balance of Tempus III, including
the breakdown between the various actions;
(d) the detailed priorities and objectives to be agreed with the compe-
tent authorities in each eligible country;1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 5
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(e) the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating Tempus III.
4. The committee shall deliver its opinion on these draft measures
within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according tothe urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be delivered by themajority laid down in Article 148(2) of the Treaty in the case of deci-sions which the Council is required to adopt on a proposal from the
Commission. The votes of the representatives of the Member States
within the committee shall be weighted in the manner set out in thatArticle. The chairman shall not vote.
The Commission shall adopt measures which shall apply immediately.
However, if these measures are not in accordance with the opinion ofthe committee, they shall be communicated by the Commission to theCouncil forthwith.
In that event the Commission may defer application of the measures
which it has decided upon for a period of one month.
The Council, acting by a qualified majority, may take a different deci-
sion within the time limit referred to in the previous subparagraph.
5. In addition, the Commission may consult the committee on any
other matter concerning the implementation of Tempus III, including
the annual report.
The representative of the Commission shall submit to the committee a
draft of the measures to be taken. The committee shall deliver its
opinion on this draft, within a time limit which the chairman may lay
down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking avote.
The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member
State shall have the right to ask to have its position recorded in theminutes.
The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinion delivered
by the committee. It shall inform the committee on the manner inwhich its opinion has been taken into account.
Article 8
Cooperationwiththecompetentbodies
1. The Commission shall cooperate with the agencies of each of the
eligible countries designated and set up to coordinate the relations andstructures needed to implement Tempus III, including the allocation offunds earmarked by the eligible countries themselves.
2. In addition, for the implementation of Tempus III, the Commis-
sion shall cooperate closely with the competent national structuresdesignated by the Member States. It shall take due account wheneverpossible of bilateral measures taken in this context by the MemberStates.
Article 9
LinkswithotherCommunityactions
In line with the procedure set out in Article 7(3) of this Decision and,
if applicable, the procedure defined in Article 9 of Regulation (EEC)No 3906/89 and in Article 8 of Regulation (Euratom, EC) No 1279/
96, within the limits established by the annual budgetary decisions,
the Commission shall ensure consistency and, where necessary,complementarity between Tempus III and other Community actionsundertaken bothin th e Community and as part of assistance providedto eligible countries, particularly with regard to the activities of theEuropean Training Foundation.1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 6
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Article 10
Coordinationwithactiontakeninnon-Communitycountries
1. The Commission shall organise appropriate coordination with
actions undertaken by countries not members of the Community(1)o r
by universities and the business sector in these countries in the same
field as Tempus III, including, where applicable, participation inTempus III projects.
2. This participation may take a variety of forms, including one or
more of the following:
— participation in Tempus III projects on a co-financing basis,
— using the opportunities available under Tempus III to channel
exchange actions receiving bilateral funding,
— coordination between Tempus III and national initiatives which
have the same aims but which are funded and managed separately,
— mutual exchange of information on all relevant initiatives in this
field.
Article 11
Annualreport
An annual report on the operation of Tempus III shall be forwarded by
the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions.
This report shall also be forwarded to the eligible countries for infor-mation.
Article 12
Monitoringandevaluation—reports
In accordance with the procedure set out in Article 7(3), the Commis-
sion shall supervise the arrangements for regular monitoring andexternal evaluation of experience gained withTempus III, taking dueaccount of the specific objectives in Article 5 and the national objec-
tives defined in accordance withArticle 6.
It shall submit by 30 April 2004 an interim report on the findings of
the evaluation, together with any proposals for extending or adjustingTempus for the period commencing on 1 July 2006.
The Commission shall submit a final report no later than 30 June 2009.1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 7
(1) These countries are the members of the Group of 24, other than the Member
States of the Community, the Republic of Cyprus and Malta, and the asso-
ciated countries of central and eastern Europe, and participation relates to
projects withth e non-associated countries of central and eastern Europe
eligible under the PHARE programme.
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ANNEX
JointEuropeanprojects
1. The European Community will provide support for joint European
projects (JEPs) of a maximum of three years' duration.
The JEPs will associate at least one university in an eligible country, one
university from a Member State and a partner establishment (university,
company or institution as defined in Article 4) in another Member State.
2. Support for JEPs can be provided for activities according to the specific
needs of the establishments concerned and in line with the priorities estab-
lished, including:
(i) joint education and training actions, particularly witha view to curri-
culum development and updating, boosting university capacity toprovide continuing education and retraining, development of short
intensive courses, and development of open and distance learning
systems including information and communication technology;
(ii) measures for the reform and development of higher education and its
capacity, particularly by restructuring the management of higher
education establishments and systems, by modernising existing infra-
structures, by acquiring the equipment needed to implement a JEP
and, where applicable, by providing technical and financial assistance
to the authorities responsible;
(iii) the promotion of cooperation between universities, industry and insti-
tutions as defined in Article 4 through JEPs;
(iv) the development of mobility for teachers, administrative staff of
universities and students under JEPs:
(a) grants will be provided for teaching/administrative staff of
universities or to trainers in companies in the Member States to
carry out teaching/training assignments for periods lasting up to
one year in eligible countries and vice versa;
(b) grants will be awarded to teaching/administrative staff of univer-
sities in the eligible countries to undertake periods of retraining
and updating in the European Community;
(c) grants will be available for students up to and including postgrad-
uate at doctoral level, targeting bothstudents in th e eligible
countries undertaking a period of study in the European Commu-
nity and European Community students undertaking a period of
study in the eligible countries. These grants will normally be
granted for a period of three months to one year;
(d) grants will be available for students taking part in JEPs withth e
specific aim of promoting mobility, priority will go to students
taking part in projects for which their university of origin will
give full academic recognition to the period of study spent
abroad;
(e) support will be provided for practical or in-company training
periods of one monthto one year for teach ers, trainers, students
and graduates of the eligible countries between the end of their
studies and their first job, so that they can undertake a period of
practical training in companies in the Community and vice versa;
(v) activities to ensure the success of a JEP involving two or more
eligible countries.
Structuraland/orcomplementarymeasures
Financial support will be provided for certain structural and/or complemen-
tary measures (particularly technical assistance, seminars, studies,
publications, information activities) to support the objectives of the
programme, particularly the development and restructuring of higher educa-
tion systems in the eligible countries. Under the structural measures, financial
aid will be granted to assist the eligible countries inter alia to:
— develop and strengthen the capacity for strategic planning and institu-
tional development of higher education establishments at university or
faculty level,
— establish a development plan for universities to help them build up inter-
national relations,
— support the spread of durable cooperation actions targeting the Tempus
objectives,
— prepare a national strategy in a given eligible country to develop a
specific aspect of higher education.1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 8
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Individualgrants
In addition to the JEPs and the structural and/or complementary measures,
the European Community will also support the provision of individual grants
to teachers, trainers, university administrators, senior ministerial officials,
education planners and other experts in training from eligible countries or
from the Community, for visits to promote the quality, development and
restructuring of higher education and training in the eligible countries.
These visits could inter alia cover the following areas:
— the development of courses and teaching material,
— the development of staff, particularly through periods of refresher training
and in-company placements,
— teaching and training assignments,— activities to support the development of higher education,— participation in the activities of European associations, in particular
university associations.
Supportactions
1. The Commission will receive the technical assistance needed to underpin the
action taken pursuant to this Decision and to monitor programme implemen-
tation.
2. Support will be provided for appropriate external evaluation of Tempus III.
Support will also be provided for dissemination in relation to JEPs, structural
and/or complementary measures and individual mobility and for dissemina-
tion of successful outcomes from specific projects in earlier stages of the
Tempus programme.1999D0311 — EN — 07.12.2000 — 002.001 — 9