1999D0311 — EN — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 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
►M3Council Decision 2002/601/EC of 27 June 2002 L 195 34 24.7.2002
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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)Whereasthe European Council meeting in Stras bourg 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 inprogrammesin the areasof education and/or training s imilar tothe existing Community programmes;
(2)Whereason 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; whereason 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 Statesand Mongolia(
6) (TACIS programme);
(3)Whereason 29 April 1993 by Decis ion 93/246/EEC the Counciladopted the second phase of the trans-European cooperationscheme for higher education (Tempus II) for a period of fouryearsfrom 1 July 1994(
7); whereasthat Decis ion wasamended
on 21 November 1996 by Decision 96/663/EC(8) to extend to six
yearsthe duration of thisprogramme (1994-2000);
(4)Whereasthe countriesof central and eas tern Europe, the new
independent Statesof the former Soviet Union and Mongolia,
which are beneficiariesof the PHARE and TACIS programmes ,consider higher education and training to be key areas for theprocess of economic and social reform;
(5)Whereascooperation on higher education s trengthensanddeepensthe whole fabric of relationsexis ting between thepeoplesof Europe, bringsout common cultural values , allowsfruitful exchangesof viewsto take place and facilitatesmultina-tional activities in the scientific, cultural, artistic, economic and
social spheres;
(6)Whereas the recent establishment of Tempus in the non-asso-
ciated countriesof central and eas tern Europe, in the newindependent Statesof the former Soviet Union and in Mongolia,1999D0311 — EN — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 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 aslas t 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 warrantsthe continuation of the meas uresundertaken;
(7)WhereasTempuscan make an effective contribution to thestructural development of higher education including theimprovement of human resources and occupational skills adapted
to economic reform and whereasthere isno other ins trument for
achieving thisobjective;
(8)WhereasTempuscan als o make an effective contribution, via
universities and university staff, to the development of public
administration and education structures in the eligible countries;
(9)WhereasTempuscan contribute to the res toration of coopera-
tion, interrupted by recent events, between neighbouring regions
of the Community and whereasthiscooperation isa factor ofpeace and stability in Europe;
(10)Whereas the associated countries in the pre-accession phasewhich have taken part in TempusI and TempusII could now,thanksto the experience they have acquired, make a us efulcontribution alongside the Member States in assisting the partnercountrieswho came into the programme at a much later s tage to
restructure their higher education systems;
(11)Whereas Article 11 of Decision 93/246/EEC stipulates that the
Commission must carry out an evaluation of the implementation
of the Tempusprogramme and s ubmit no later than 30 April
1998 a proposal for the extension or the adjustment of theprogramme for the period commencing on 1 July 2000;
(12)Whereasthe competent authoritiesin the countriesof central andeastern Europe, the new independent States of the former SovietUnion and Mongolia, the users of the programme, the structuresresponsible for organising it in the eligible countries and in theEuropean Community, and the expertsand qualified repres enta-
tivesreflecting the viewsof the univers ity world in Europe,
share the findings of the evaluation report attesting to the capa-city of Tempusto make an effective contribution in the eligiblecountriesto the divers ification of educational opportunitiesandto cooperation between universities, thereby paving the way forthe development of scientific, cultural and economic and social
cooperation;
(13)Whereas the possibility should be provided of creating effectivecoordination between the TempusIII programme and other
Community programmesor activitieswith an educational and/ortraining-related dimension, thus stimulating synergies andincreasing the added value of each of the Community activities;
(14)Whereasthe Treaty doesnot provide, for the adoption of thisDecision, powers other than those of Article 235; whereas theconditions 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‘TempusIII’) ishereby adoptedfor the period from 1 July 2000 to 31 December 2006.1999D0311 — EN — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 3
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Article 2
Eligible countries
1. TempusIII s hall concern the countrieswhich are beneficiaries
under Council Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000 of 5 December 2000 onassistance for Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the FederalRepublic of Yugoslavia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Mace-
donia(
1), and the new independent Statesof the former Soviet Union
and Mongolia referred to in Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 99/2000 of 29 December 1999 concerning the provision of assistance tothe partner States in eastern Europe and central Asia(
2), and Mediterra-
nean non-member countriesand territorieslis ted in Council Regulation
(EC) No 1488/96 of 23 July 1996 on financial and technical measures
to accompany (MEDA) the reform of economic and social structures inthe framework of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership(
3). These coun-
triesand territoriesare hereinafter referred to as‘eligible countries ’.
2. On the basis of an evaluation of the specific situation of each
country, the Commission, in accordance with the procedures referredto in the Regulationsreferred to in paragraph 1, s hall agree with the
eligible countriesconcerned whether they s hould participate in Tempus
III, and the nature and conditionsof their participation. The conditionsof Article 10(1) will apply to eligible countriesthat do not participatein TempusIII.
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 throughTempuscan be s hared with the neighbouring countriesand in order todevelop regional and cross-border cooperation. Taking into account therespective financial rules and regulations, cooperation between Tempus
and 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 whichoffer, within the framework of advanced education and training,
qualifications or diplomas of that level, whatever such establish-
mentsmay 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.
Each Member State or eligible country may determine what typesof
establishment referred to in point (a) can participate in Tempus III.1999D0311 — EN — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 4
(1) OJ L 306, 7.12.2000, p. 1. Regulation aslas t amended by Regulation (EC)
No 2415/2001 (OJ L 327, 12.12.2001, p. 3).
(2) OJ L 12, 18.1.2000, p. 1.
(3) OJ L 189, 30.7.1996, p. 1. Regulation aslas t amended by Regulation (EC)
No 2698/2000 (OJ L 311, 12.12.2000, p. 1).▼B
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Article 5
Aim
1. The aim of TempusIII isto promote, in line with the guidelines
and general objectivesof the Regulationsreferred to in Article 2(1),and in complementarity with the programmesand s ectoral approaches
resulting therefrom, the development of the higher education systems in
the eligible countries through the most balanced cooperation possiblewith partnersfrom all the Member States .
2. More specifically, Tempus III shall:
(a) promote understanding between and rapprochement of cultures,
develop free and flourishing civil societies; and
(b) facilitate the adaptation and development of higher education to
better respond to the socio-economic and cultural needs of theeligible countries by addressing:
(i) issues relating to the development and reshaping of curricula
in the priority areas;
(ii) reform and development of higher education structures and
establishments and their management;
(iii) the development of training leading to such qualifications as
will remedy the shortage of high-level skills needed in the
context of economic reform and development, particularly by
improving and increasing links with industry;
(iv) the contribution of higher education and training to citizenship
and the strengthening of democracy.
3. The Commission shall, when pursuing the aim of Tempus III,
observe the Community's general policy on equal opportunities formen and women. The Commission shall also ensure that no group ofcitizensisexcluded or dis advantaged.
Article 6
Dialoguewiththeeligible countries
In agreement with the competent authoritiesin each country, the
Commission shall define the detailed priorities and objectives for therole of TempusIII, on the bas isof the programme'saim and the provi-sions of the Annex, and in conformity in particular with:
(a) the general objectivesof the Regulationsreferred to in Article 2(1);
(b) the economic, social and educational policy of each eligible
country;
(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 Tempus III in accordance with
the provisions of the Annex, on the basis of detailed guidelines to be
adopted annually and following the detailed prioritiesand objectives
agreed with the competent authoritiesin each eligible country, asprovided for in Article 6.
2. The Committee referred to in paragraphs4 and 5 s hall, in parti-
cular, assist the Commission in the implementation of the scheme
having regard to the aim set out in Article 5 and shall coordinate itswork with that of other programme committees established in the fieldof education (Socrates) and training (Leonardo).
3. The measures necessary for the implementation of this Decision
relating to the subject matters referred to below shall be adopted inaccordance with the procedure set out in paragraph 4:
(a) the general guidelinesgoverning TempusIII;1999D0311 — EN — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 5
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(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 variousactions ;
(d) the detailed prioritiesand objectivesto be agreed with the compe-
tent authoritiesin each eligible country;
(e) the arrangementsfor monitoring and evaluating TempusIII.
4. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee.
Where reference ismade to thisparagraph, Articles4 and 7 of Deci-
sion 1999/468/EC shall apply.
The period laid down in Article 4(3) of Decision 1999/468/EC shall be
set at one month.
The Committee shall adopt its rules of procedure.
5. In addition, the Commission may consult the Committee on any
other matter concerning the implementation of TempusIII, including
the annual report.
In this case, Articles 3 and 7 of Decision 1999/468/EC shall apply;
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 and
structures needed to implement Tempus III, including the allocation offunds earmarked by the eligible countries themselves.
2. In addition, for the implementation of TempusIII, 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 Member
States.
Article 9
LinkswithotherCommunityactions
In accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 7(4) of this
Decision and, if applicable, the procedure referred to in Article 10 of
Regulation (EC) No 2666/2000, in Article 13 of Regulation (EC,
Euratom) No 99/2000, and in Article 11 of Regulation (EC) No 1488/96, within the limits established by the annual budgetary decisions, theCommission shall ensure consistency and, where necessary, comple-mentarity between TempusIII and other Community actionsundertaken both in the Community and as part of assistance provided
to eligible countries, particularly with regard to the activities of the
European Training Foundation.
Article 10
Coordinationwithactiontakeninthirdcountries
1. The Commission shall organise appropriate coordination with
actionsundertaken by third countries(
1) or by universities and the busi-
ness sector in these countries in the same field as Tempus III,including, where applicable, participation in TempusIII projects .1999D0311 — EN — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 6
(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 countriesof central and eas tern Europe, and participation relatesto
projects with the non-associated countries of central and eastern Europe
eligible under the PHARE programme and such other countries the Commu-
nity might subsequently decide to include.▼B
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2. Thisparticipation may take a variety of forms , including one or
more of the following:
(a) participation in Tempus III projects on a co-financing basis;
(b) use of the opportunities available under Tempus III to channel
exchange actionsreceiving bilateral funding;
(c) coordination between TempusIII and national initiativeswhich
have the same aims but which are funded and managed separately;
(d) mutual exchange of information on all relevant initiativesin this
field.
Article 11
Annualreport
An annual report on the operation of TempusIII s hall 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 with TempusIII, taking dueaccount of the specific objectives in Article 5 and the national objec-tivesdefined in accordance with Article 6.
It shall submit by 30 June 2004 an interim report on the findings of the
evaluation, together with any proposals for extending or adjustingTempusIII for the period commencing on 1 January 2007.
The Commission shall submit a final report no later than 30 June 2009.1999D0311 — EN — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 7
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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 JEPscan be provided for activitiesaccording to the s pecific
needs of the establishments concerned and in line with the priorities estab-
lished, including:
(i) joint education and training actions, particularly with a 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-
tutionsasdefined 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 countriesand vice vers a;
(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 both students in the eligible
countriesundertaking a period of s tudy 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 monthsto one year;
(d) grantswill be available for s tudentstaking part in JEPswith the
specific aim of promoting mobility, priority will go to students
taking part in projectsfor which their univers ity 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 month to one year for teachers, trainers, students
and graduatesof the eligible countriesbetween the end of their
studies and their first job, so that they can undertake a period of
practical training in companiesin the Community and vice vers a;
(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 — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 8
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Individualgrants
In addition to the JEPs and the structural and/or complementary measures,
the Community will also support the provision of individual grants to
teachers, researchers, trainers, university administrators, senior ministerial
officials, education planners and other experts in training from eligible coun-
triesor from the Community, for vis itsto 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, research and training assignments,— activitiesto s upport 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 TempusIII.
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
Tempusprogramme.1999D0311 — EN — 27.06.2002 — 003.001 — 9
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