Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the 'European Commission Green Paper on Education - Training - Research: The obstacles to transnational Mobility` (97/C 215/01)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the Commission Green Paper on 'Education - Training - Research: The obstacles to transnational mobility` (COM(96) 462 final);

having regard to its decision on 13 November 1996, pursuant to the fourth paragraph of Article 198c of the Treaty establishing the European Community, to issue an Opinion on 'Education - Training - Research: The obstacles to transnational mobility`, and to direct Commission 6 'Education and Training` to carry out the preparatory work;

having regard to the draft opinion (CdR 393/96 rev.) adopted by Commission 6 on 7 February 1997 (Rapporteur: Mrs Freehill);

having regard to the contribution of Commission 7 'Citizens' Europe, Research, Culture, Youth and Consumers` on the research and citizens' Europe aspects of the green paper adopted by Commission 7 on 31 January (Rapporteur: Mr Rhodio);

having regard to the Commission's focus on education and training in the 'White Paper on Growth, Competitiveness and Employment` (COM(94) 700 final);

having regard to the COR Opinion on the 'White Paper on Education and Training - Teaching and Learning towards the Learning Society` (CdR 115/96) ();

having regard to the communication from the Commission on the 'Recognition of qualification for academic and professional purposes` (COM(94) 596 final);

having regard to the COR Opinion on the White Paper on the 'European Year of Lifelong Learning` (CdR 244/94) ();

having regard to the COR Opinion on 'Education and Training in the face of technological, industrial and social challenges: First Thoughts` (CdR 299/95) ();

having regard to the COR Opinion on the Commission's Pilot Action on the 'European voluntary service for young people` (CdR 191/96) ();

whereas transnational mobility forms an integral part of Community policy in the fields of education, training and research as laid down in Articles 126, 127 and 130g (d) of the EC Treaty;

whereas freedom of movement is one of the fundamental rights of European citizens as laid down in Article 8a of the Treaty establishing the European Community and the abolition of obstacles to the free movement of people is one of the main objectives of the EU as laid down in Article 3(c) of the EC Treaty,

unanimously adopted the following opinion at its 17th plenary session on 12 and 13 March 1997 (meeting of 12 March).

1. Introduction

1.1. The Committee of the Regions welcomes the green paper as a follow-up to the Commission's White Paper on Education and Training. Aware that freedom of movement for citizens is an essential component of a united Europe, the Commission underlines the need for mobility in the context of a rapidly changing economic and social environment. Transnational mobility is an essential prerequisite to creating opportunities in employment, education and training and is a basic requirement of European research.

1.2. The COR supports the Commission's commitment to take action to promote mobility, noting that mobility levels within the EU remain unsatisfactory. Removing obstacles to mobility in the fields of education, training and research is of particular interest to the COR, since in many Member States, local and regional authorities have important competences and experiences in these areas. Moreover, in many instances mobility oriented activities are developed at local/regional level as well as derived from initiatives involving local and regional authorities (twinning projects etc.) and thus form an intrinsic part of regional cooperation.

1.3. The investment made by Community support for partnerships and programmes at local level can be complemented and strengthened by including a local and regional input to developing mobility. In this respect, the COR points out that local enterprise has much to gain from the transnational sharing of ideas and skills, attainable through exposure via mobility initiatives in education, training and research.

1.4. Of central concern to the COR is the fact that current obstacles have succeeded in thwarting the transfer of skills and knowledge across the EU, preventing the acquisition of such resources by those in need, and consequently undermining regional cooperation and economic and social cohesion. The COR therefore welcomes the opportunity to frame a long-term strategy for mobility, long recognized as a cornerstone in the development of European citizenship which the COR is actively engaged in promoting.

2. General Comments

2.1. Part A: Transnational Mobility and what it means

2.1.1. The COR notes the increase in virtual mobility, facilitated by access to new information technologies such as teleworking and accepts its contribution to mobility. In this regard, the COR proposes to the Commission that special attention be paid to regions with a large number of geographically remote rural communities. However, it points out that the tools of the Information Society cannot replace actual physical mobility and may even retard solidarity and social cohesion in the absence of 'face-to-face person contact`, especially in the case of peripheral regions.

2.1.2. The success of Community programmes for transnational exchanges and placements of researchers, students, teachers, workers or the unemployed undergoing training as well as trainers indicates the growing demand for mobility. The COR underlines that this expression of 'mobility need` is a potent starting point in the expansion and linkage of initiatives geared to sharing knowledge, information, ideas, skills and cooperative partnerships.

2.1.3. The COR notes that the impact of such personal mobility initiatives goes far beyond the immediately visible dividends. Awareness and appreciation of other cultures fosters tolerance and understanding of diversity, quite apart from economic imperatives and leads to greater solidarity among Europeans.

2.1.4. The COR emphasizes the possible gains from cross fertilization of skills and knowledge in new technologies, new management methods and organization of work. It stresses that the resulting increase in competitiveness will benefit all European citizens.

2.1.5. The COR would nevertheless point to the need for collaboration, exchange of ideas and analysis of the social impact of new technologies. It stresses that equal emphasis should be given to social science and natural science research endeavour and that a balanced approach can avert or alert policy makers to side effects of technological innovation which can prove costly to reverse or treat. It points out that linguistic skills are a cornerstone of such an approach. These, in turn, develop the 'personal capital` of European citizens, increasing their sense of personal achievement and efficacy, while also increasing their employability.

2.1.6. Moreover, the COR notes that the quality of planning invested in public policy whether economic, political or social depends, to a large extent, on the calibre of research available to policy makers. The COR notes, in this respect, the importance of harmonizing investment in social as well as economic research. Evaluation of progress in these different domains is equally dependent on high quality research. The dividends accruing to government and society are largely a product of the quality of the resources invested in the research endeavour. Therefore the intercultural sharing of ideas, transnational exchange of skills and best practices is the surest way to guarantee excellence in research.

2.1.7. The COR points out that existing Community initiatives illustrate awareness of the need for people mobility, as a human resource in economic, education and social dimensions. Of particular interest in the context of widening the mobility net is the launch of the European Voluntary Service, a vehicle providing a channel for mobilizing around a deeply valued responsibility for European citizens.

2.1.8. The COR underlines that in order to realize these objectives, mobility in both academic and vocational sectors of education must be facilitated; equally vital is the mutual recognition of degrees, diplomas, certificates and periods of study.

2.1.9. This recognition, which ought to cover as many levels as possible of the educational system, has a particular socio-economic impact in the area of non-compulsory education, i.e. education subsequent to compulsory basic education.

2.1.10. The COR feels that, in order to facilitate this recognition, it would be sensible to study the possibility of establishing a core, common to the various levels of education, both university and non-university.

2.1.11. The COR laments the fact that although Europe has become an open area where all citizens are theoretically able to move freely as a basic right of citizenship, there are still too many obstacles to people mobility, whereas capital goods and services can move more freely. It notes that In the case of 'individual` or 'spontaneous` mobility, the impediments are greatest.

2.1.12. The COR calls for provisions making it practically feasible to expand and strengthen mobility, subject to compliance with the subsidiarity principle.

2.1.13. In line with the principle of subsidiarity, in fields of education, training and research, the green paper offers the opportunity to put forward points of consideration with a view to finding solutions to the many obstacles encountered by the citizen.

2.1.14. The COR welcomes the Commission's intentions to consult widely for responses to this green paper and suggestions for its follow up, involving a bottom-up approach which the COR constantly promotes and endorses.

2.1.15. The target public of the green paper is EU nationals, and non-nationals who are legally resident in the European Community on a permanent basis engaged in education, training and research activities. More specifically, it targets students and young people, including those holding university degrees as well as language assistants, researchers, teachers, trainers and voluntary workers.

2.1.16. The COR notes that the crux of the problem is that a status as 'worker` entitles the citizen to rights which enable him/her to freedom of movement throughout the Community. To qualify as a worker/employed person under Community law, a citizen must be a Community national and be engaged in actual activities, be working under an employment contract and be receiving pay. The COR points out that clearly, a large category of citizens, in particular those described above, are excluded because they do not fall into the formal category of worker.

2.2. Part B: Obstacles to Mobility

The COR concludes that the chief obstacles fall into three main groups: social protection, administrative and socio-cultural obstacles, which it deals with in turn.

2.2.1. Obstacles to social protection

2.2.1.1. These concern rights of residence, status and entitlement, as well as employment rights, financial support and welfare.

2.2.1.2. Although Community workers and members of their family benefit from Community rules in exercising their rights to freedom of movement, citizens engaged in research, training or working professionally in training in another Member State are excluded. It is paradoxical that although the principle of voluntary effort is widely valued by Europeans and encouraged by the European Voluntary Service initiative, protection for volunteers is overlooked and their status is ill-defined.

2.2.1.3. The COR notes that although right of residence, under the terms of Directive 90/364/EEC () can be claimed by citizens excluded from recognized categories, this is conditional on their having sufficient resources and sickness insurance cover in respect of all risks in the host Member State. The COR believes that this acts as a serious impediment to mobility for substantial numbers of ordinary citizens. Whilst recognizing the complexities involved, it calls for greater attention to be given to this matter.

2.2.1.4. Difficulties facing nationals of third countries, and the debate surrounding the Schengen agreement, reinforce the need for systematic research on the problem and discussion with a view to reaching consensus on how to tackle it in a humane way.

2.2.1.5. Problems associated with social protection and welfare present profound disincentives to researchers wishing to explore economic, social and educational dimensions of other Member States. The COR is concerned that this may allow the 'research community`, a rich human resource for the EU, to look to other countries or continents to develop and explore research opportunities. The resulting 'brain drain` poses a grave threat to the future research profile of the EU.

2.2.1.6. The COR stresses, moreover, that these obstacles compromise the effectiveness of EU actions in this field and reduce the positive impact of research policy on local and regional cooperation. It points out that removing these obstacles would therefore be of great benefit to local and regional authorities, but would also have the far broader effect of helping to speed up and reinforce the achievement of positive, substantial results in all types of research aimed at human progress or enhancing the human habitat and quality of life.

2.2.1.7. The COR underlines that in a similar vein, loss of benefit rights is a disincentive to participation by unemployed persons in transnational training or industrial placements, further weakening their employability.

2.2.2. Administrative obstacles

2.2.2.1. These concern a lack of mutual recognition of qualifications, non-uniformity of academic year, regional restrictions on grants, amongst other matters.

2.2.2.2. The COR commends the advances already achieved in the development of the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) enabling the recognition of course modules and thus completion of courses in other Member States, based entirely on cooperation between the universities, Community wide and beyond. The COR considers it a matter of urgency that academic recognition for periods of study spent in establishments in other Member States, validation and certification must be established so that exchange arrangements function more effectively.

2.2.2.3. The COR stresses that even greater urgency is attached to the resolution of difficulties facing vocational training. Measures to improve the comparability, transparency and recognition of vocational skills and qualifications must be identified and implemented.

2.2.2.4. As with the university sector, the COR strongly recommends initiatives to promote language acquisition for vocational trainees, trainers and apprentices. Mobility within the vocational training sector remains profoundly affected where language proficiency is impaired. The COR underlines that initiatives to provide language training may not, on their own, be sufficient to overcome this obstacle; incentives to language acquisition should be considered, if necessary. It points out that competitiveness suffers where barriers due to language exist; equally, steps toward strengthening solidarity among European peoples are facilitated where language difficulties are overcome.

2.2.3. Sociocultural obstacles

2.2.3.1. These concern linguistic barriers, access to information and other practical problems.

2.2.3.2. Access to information, along with other practical obstacles, require streamlining of channels of access, openness on the part of institutions and agencies in possession of information, and awareness on the part of citizens of where to go for such information. The COR recommends simple and concise information, easily assimilable and practical, in order to reduce bureaucratic and administrative logjams.

2.2.3.3. The COR suggests a Handbook for Visiting Researchers, Trainees or Trainers with basic information on cultural aspects, accommodation, business, education and social facilities, available as part of preparatory documentation as a practical example of how confidence can be developed among European citizens in the target groups who are contemplating a mobility initiative.

2.2.3.4. Finally, awareness of the disadvantages encountered by the disabled often surface too late in the policy process. The COR recommends that the needs of the disabled are included among the measures to facilitate mobility.

3. Specific comments

In this section, the opinion follows the layout of the priority actions set out in Part C of the green paper.

3.1. Line of action 1: According specific status to trainees on placement and to voluntary workers in the European Community

3.1.1. The COR strongly supports the points made in this line of action. It underlines the need for similar legal recognition in home/host countries to equalize conditions of mobility for trainees on placement and voluntary workers, and mobility programmes for apprentices i.e. Erasmus for apprentices.

3.1.2. It recalls its Opinion on the European Voluntary Service which supported the definition of a legal status for volunteers which it maintained could effectively remove obstacles relating to freedom of movement, social security and taxation, seriously hindering young people's participation. As indicated in that Opinion, the COR maintains that the European Voluntary Service will have a vital role to play as a pedagogical instrument in promoting mobility opportunities in particular for disadvantaged young people who have limited access to mainstream EU education and training programmes. The COR calls for consideration to be given to the contract model applied in the Nordic countries, among others, for regulating labour relations between the social partners, where the trainee/volunteer is regarded as an employee.

3.2. Line of action 2: Equal treatment for all Community grant-aided research trainees

3.2.1. Because of the differences in the national compulsory contribution systems in each Member State, some research students are influenced and often precluded by financial consideration rather than scientific criteria. The COR notes the need for the coordination of systems in the Member States in respect of both direct taxation and social security contributions in order to ensure that Community grant-aided research trainees are not disadvantaged in taking part in mobility schemes. It stresses that partial tax exemptions for research grants or bursaries could be considered in the spirit of OECD models.

3.3. Line of action 3: Ensuring social protection for everyone benefiting from mobility as part of their training

a) ensuring benefit entitlement for unemployed persons undergoing training in another Member State:

3.3.1. The COR notes the inconsistencies in social protection in Member States is without doubt one of the greatest obstacles to mobility. The COR maintains that this problem could be examined in greater detail, for instance in the form of a discussion of the Commission's proposal () allowing benefits to be continued after an initial period of 3 months without exceeding the period or amount provided for by the legislation of the Member State in which the unemployed person is looking for work or which pays the benefit.

b) guaranteeing social protection in the host country:

3.3.2. The COR calls for greater attention to be given to resolving the discrepancies between the current rules relating to trainees and students and those relating to salaried and non-salaried workers and their families (as stated in Part B 2.2.1). The Commission proposal to the Council () seeking to extend cover to all insured Member State citizens and its proposal () to remove the 'immediate necessity` condition for health care, for students and those in vocational training, should both be adopted.

3.3.3. The COR recognizes the need to examine the problems involved in unemployment benefit and social security benefits in the context of mobility and supports schemes that can provide practical solutions. However, it would point out that, on grounds of the subsidiarity principle, the allocation and funding of social security benefits should remain a national responsibility.

3.4. Line of action 4: Creating a European area of qualifications

3.4.1. The COR endorses all the points highlighted in this line of action but specifically draws attention to the fact that the system of transfer of educational and training 'credits` has been adopted by a number of Member States. It is an important step towards aiding mobility for students and promoting mutual recognition of qualifications therefore action is urgently needed for its expansion throughout the EU, in particular to cover the vocational training sector.

3.4.2. The COR calls on the Commission to also give emphasis to the development of mutual recognition of acquired skills/informal vocational training through accreditation, on a voluntary basis, within this line of action. It stresses that local and regional authorities can play a key role in supporting networks involving enterprises in developing such accreditation. The COR welcomes the proposal to create a European network on setting up an accreditation system put forward in the Commission's White Paper on Education and training and calls for local and regional authorities to be fully involved in this, as indicated in its opinion on the subject.

3.4.3. The current aim of organizations such as CEDEFOP is to arrive at transparency so that the 'content` behind educational and vocational awards is made apparent. The COR endorses this and points out that in order to accelerate this transferability, the development of standards for national certification systems, in each Member State, is essential.

3.4.4. The European Community network of National Academic Recognition Information Centres (NARIC) provides information on higher education systems and qualifications, EURYDICE the European Community network for educational information promotes exchange of information in the field of education, the parallel promotion of the exchange of information in the field of training is undertaken by CEDEFOP and ORTELIUS provides a database on higher education in Europe. The COR recognizes the important role these networks and databases play in promoting recognition of qualifications and greater transparency yet it regrets that the work of NARIC and ORTELIUS focus only on higher education. It calls on the Commission to reinforce these networks and to ensure their effective coordination.

3.4.5. The COR calls on the Commission to give emphasis to the development of quality assurance in this line of action in order to facilitate greater transparency and promote the recognition of qualifications and skills.

3.4.6. The COR underlines that linguistic and cultural skills are essential for vocational mobility and that incentives to participate in language learning should be considered (and as stated in point 2.2.2.4).

3.5. Line of action 5: Removing territorial restrictions on grants and national financing:

3.5.1. In some instances the transferability of grants awarded by national authorities for study periods abroad need to be improved. However, the COR stresses the need to take into consideration the individual capacity of each Member State in this area.

3.6. Line of action 6: Improving the situation of nationals of third countries legally resident in the EU with regard to training

3.6.1. The COR believes that in the interest of consistency, a common set of rules is needed for the admission of third-country nationals to the territory of the Member States of the EU for study purposes. The COR stresses that this should be based on research and consensus.

3.7. Line of action 7: Reducing socio-economic obstacles

3.7.1. The COR believes that the promotion of consistency in financial aid, including co-financing initiatives at national and local level is essential for equality of opportunity. It maintains that local and regional authorities should encourage better coordination by the Member States to ensure the optimum adjustment for the total amount of grant received by the student.

3.7.2. It also stresses the need to ensure that grants reflect real costs, in particular travel costs, incurred for mobility actions involving peripheral areas.

3.7.3. The COR maintains that the age restriction of 28 years to avail of the Leonardo programme is contrary to the principle of lifelong learning and consequently age restrictions should be abolished. However, the COR would oppose any Commission initiative to regulate the organization of the academic year, as this would be inconsistent with the subsidiarity principle.

3.8. Line of action 8: Reducing linguistic and cultural obstacles

3.8.1. The COR stresses that linguistic competence is an essential prerequisite to mobility. The COR supports the Commission's view that all mobility actions should be preceded by a period of linguistic and cultural preparation.

3.8.2. The COR points out that since many vocational training programmes are funded by the European Social Fund, transnational placements could be encouraged to a greater extent within their framework.

3.8.3. The COR notes the achievements of the Socrates and Leonardo programmes in promoting language skills and stresses the need to step up activities in this area, within their framework. The COR calls for support to be given however to teaching lesser-used languages as well as sign language for the deaf and for language learning to be introduced as early as possible in the education system as underlined in its Opinion on the White Paper on education and training. It also underlines the importance of promoting mobility actions towards areas where lesser used languages are spoken. It calls on the Commission to address these issues in this line of action.

3.8.4. The COR underlines the importance of intercultural education in removing cultural prejudices and promoting mobility and it stresses the value of teacher training in this area, as underlined in its Draft Opinion on Intercultural education. It requests the Commission to include measures supporting activities in this area within the action line.

3.8.5. The COR points out that local and regional authorities have a key role to play in fostering intercultural cooperation in particular through twinning arrangements with localities and regions of other EU Member States and Third countries. It stresses that these links have a vital role to play in removing cultural barriers and promoting mobility.

3.9. Line of action 9: Improving the information available and administrative practices

3.9.1. While the COR agrees with the points made in this line of action it wishes to emphasize that the lack of easily accessible and understandable information is a major obstacle to mobility. The European Employment Services (Eures) is designed to counter this problem, providing information for people wanting to work abroad, however the COR regrets that this network has not been fully developed and that it only covers information for workers. Because of the diversity of systems, terminology, taxation laws, social welfare entitlements, etc., across all Member States, it is extremely difficult for an individual to understand or make assumptions about these without a guarantee that her or his interpretation is correct. There is no system currently in place which can guarantee comparable information that is accessible to the public on these and other relevant issues.

3.9.2. The COR therefore calls on the Commission within the scope of this line of action to improve this consumer network service and to expand its remit to cover useful information for people going to live in another Member State to pursue education, training and research activities. It calls for a comprehensive Common European database to be set up providing necessary information in particular with regard to admission requirements, accommodation availability etc. It stresses that ensuring that the format of information is easily understood is equally important. The COR further believes that local and regional authorities, using IT and the Internet locally and Europe-wide are well placed to facilitate the dissemination of information and calls on the Commission to fully involve them in any multi-media campaign to implement this action line.

3.9.3. The COR proposes that this line of action also include support to compile a Handbook for visiting researchers, trainees or trainers with basic information regarding the participation in a mobility initiative, as mentioned earlier.

3.9.4. The COR calls on the Commission to give support to guidance counselling in the provision of information on mobility opportunities in the field of education, training and research within the EU, under this line of action. The COR stresses that effective guidance can contribute towards promoting mobility in particular for disadvantaged youth who do not participate actively in EU exchange education/training programmes and whose special needs may require additional attention.

3.9.5. As stated in point 2.2.3.4, disabled students are faced with extra costs arising out of their disability in relation to transportation, accommodation, provision of carers and specialized equipment. The COR underlines that therefore greater flexibility is required within the Socrates and Leonardo programmes to allow projects to be designed on an individual basis for such students and calls on the Commission to address this issue within this line of action.

3.9.6. The COR points out that mobility is often of an individual nature in the relevant sectors. This means that citizens moving from one country to another must organize their own moves and deal with various bureaucratic requirements without any help from specialist organizations familiar with officialdom in the host country. It underlines that enhancing the capacity of local bodies (regions, provinces, municipalities, cultural and research centres, etc.) to bridge this gap in particular by assembling relevant information for mobility actions at local level, would unlock and facilitate wide-ranging and highly promising potential and initiatives.

3.9.7. The COR regrets that no mention is made within this line of action of the key role of local and regional authorities in disseminating information directly to the citizen. It points out that local and regional authorities in view of their important competences and experiences as providers of education and training, in developing partnerships between education and training establishments and enterprises as well as in promoting transnational local and regional cooperation, are uniquely placed to fully involve education and training and research establishments as well as local enterprises in effectively removing obstacles to mobility. It calls for this role to be fully recognized by the Commission and for local and regional authorities to be involved in all information networks and activities planned within the framework of this green paper.

4. Conclusion

4.1. Facing the challenges of the 21st century, a well-educated, multi-skilled and linguistically proficient workforce and the effective transfer of their skills and knowledge between the regions and localities in the EU is essential to ensure greater competitivity, employability and development of social cohesion. The COR underlines that mobility and freedom of movement for citizens engaged in education, training and research activities are a prerequisite towards reaching these goals. However, it stresses that mobility should be viewed as a factor which not only increases people's employability but also their self-development and understanding of cultural diversity thereby contributing towards greater solidarity among Europeans. The COR points out that it is therefore a pressing demand that the obstacles inhibiting mobility are removed and that appropriate protection for our students, researchers and trainees is put in place.

4.2. The COR endorses the Commission's commitment to take action to promote mobility and supports its proposed lines of action. It calls for provisions in EU legislation dealing with mobility and social protection to be expanded and strengthened in order to be rendered practically realizable. It also stresses the need for the Member States of the EU to take necessary measures to eliminate obstacles in particular with regard to rights of residence, social security and tax arrangements.

4.3. It calls on the EU to develop an Erasmus for 'apprentices`, to expand the remit of the European Credit Transfer System and National Academic Recognition Information Center as well as the Ortelius database to cover the vocational training sector. It also calls on the EU to support the development of accreditation of skills and quality assurance to ensure greater transparency and recognition of qualifications. It strongly recommends increased support to be given to initiatives to promote language training in particular within the framework of Socrates and Leonardo and calls for the age restriction of 28 years to avail of the Leonardo programme to be abolished.

4.4. The COR is in particular concerned that people from disadvantaged backgrounds face greater obstacles to mobility and calls for appropriate measures to be introduced to facilitate their access to mobility in EU projects and programmes.

4.5. It also calls on the EU to ensure the effective dissemination of information: by extending the Eures network to cover all citizens not just workers, by setting up a European database for mobility activities, by publishing handbooks and guides and by supporting relevant guidance and counselling.

4.6. The COR emphasizes the need to involve local and regional authorities in all information activities in order to unlock and facilitate mobility initiatives directly involving the citizen as well as education and training establishments and enterprises. It also highlights their crucial role in removing cultural barriers and instigating mobility by fostering transnational local and regional cooperation.

4.7. The COR underlines that freedom of movement is one of the fundamental rights of European citizens. The COR points out that the creation of Union citizenship under the Maastricht Treaty (Article B) serves to highlight its importance yet stresses that this should not undermine the level of Member State autonomy with regard to this issue. The COR maintains that if a real 'citizens' Europe` is to come about, this aspect must not remain an abstract principle, but must be put into practice at grass-roots level. Representing the level of government closest to the citizen, the COR deplores the current difficulties citizens face in taking part in mobility activities and stresses that it is fully engaged in supporting all measures taken, at the appropriate level and in full respect of the principle of subsidiarity, in removing obstacles to mobility.

4.8. The COR points out that the EU can only be brought closer to the citizens and bear real meaning in their everyday lives through greater interaction between the peoples of Europe in particular by facilitating their mobility and underlines the key role of local and regional authorities in ensuring that this goal is effectively achieved.

Brussels, 12 March 1997.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Regions

Pasqual MARAGALL i MIRA

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