A4-0464/98

Proposal for a Council decision adopting the third phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education Tempus III (2000-2006) (COM(98)0454 - C4-0554/98 - 98/0246(CNS))

The proposal is approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Recital -1 (new)

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(-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 the Central and Eastern European countries to take part in programmes in the areas of education and/or training similar to the existing Community programmes;

(Amendment 2)

Recital 3a (new)

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(3a) Whereas cooperation on higher education strengthens and deepens the whole fabric of relations existing between the peoples of Europe, brings out common cultural values, allows fruitful exchanges of views to take place and facilitates multinational activities in the scientific, cultural, artistic, socio-economic and commercial spheres;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 5

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(5) Whereas Tempus can make an effective contribution to the structural development of higher education required to improve occupational skills adapted to economic reform and whereas there is no other instrument for achieving this objective;

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(5)

Whereas Tempus can make an effective contribution to the reform of higher education systems required to improve occupational skills adapted to the necessary economic reforms and whereas there is no other instrument for achieving this objective;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 5a (new)

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(5a) Whereas Tempus can also make an effective contribution, via universities and university staff, to the development of public administration and education structures in the Central and Eastern European countries, the new independent states and Mongolia;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 7

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(7) Whereas the associated countries in the pre-accession phase which have taken part in Tempus I and Tempus II could now make a useful contribution alongside the Member States in assisting the partner countries who came into the programme at a much later stage to restructure their higher education systems;

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(7)

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 useful contribution alongside the Member States in assisting the partner countries who came into the programme at a much later stage to restructure their higher education systems;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 8a (new)

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(8a) Whereas, in accordance with Article 3 of the Financial Regulation, the Commission shall provide the budgetary authority with an update of the original estimates contained in the financial statements;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 9

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(9) 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 structures responsible for organising it in the eligible countries and in the European Community, and the experts and qualified representatives reflecting the view of the university world in Europe, share the findings of the evaluation report attesting to the capacity of Tempus to make an effective contribution in the eligible countries to the diversification of educational opportunities and to cooperation between universities, thereby paving the way for the development of scientific, cultural and economic cooperation;

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(9)

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 structures responsible for organising it in the eligible countries and in the European Community, and the experts and qualified representatives reflecting the view of the university world in Europe, share the findings of the evaluation report attesting to the capacity of Tempus to make an effective contribution in the eligible countries to the diversification of educational opportunities and to cooperation between universities, thereby paving the way for the development of scientific, cultural, economic and social cooperation;

(Amendment 8)

Recital 9a (new)

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(9a) Whereas the possibility should be provided of carrying out joint activities between the Tempus III programme and other Community programmes or actions with an educational and/or training-related dimension, thus stimulating synergies and increasing the added value of each of the Community actions;

(Amendment 9)

Article 4, 3rd and 4th paragraphs

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More specifically, Tempus III is intended to help the higher education systems in the eligible countries to address:

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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 the eligible countries by addressing:

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(a) issues relating to the development and reshaping of teaching syllabuses in the priority areas;

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(a)

issues relating to the development and reshaping of teaching syllabuses in the priority areas;

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(b) reform of higher education structures and establishments and their management;

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(b)

reform of higher education structures and establishments and their management;

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(c) the development of training opening on to qualifications, with a view to making good the shortage of high level skills needed for the period of economic reform, particularly by improving and increasing links with industry.

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(c)

the development of training opening on to qualifications, with a view to making good the shortage of high level skills needed for the period of economic reform, particularly by improving and increasing links with industry.

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The Commission will, when pursuing the objectives of Tempus III, endeavour to adhere to the Community's general policy on equal opportunities for men and women. The same will apply for disadvantaged groups such as those suffering from handicaps.

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The Commission will, when pursuing the objectives of Tempus III, endeavour to adhere to the Community's general policy on equal opportunities for men and women.

The Commission will also endeavour to ensure that no group of citizens is excluded or disadvantaged for any reason whatsoever.

(Amendment 13)

Article 7(1a) (new)

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1a.

The Commission shall determine the level of flexibility necessary for each project, in order to reach maximum efficiency.

(Amendment 14)

Article 8

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In line with the procedure set out in Article 6(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 (EC) No 1279/96, the Commission shall ensure consistency and, if necessary, complementarity between Tempus III and other Community actions undertaken both in the Community and as part of assistance provided to eligible countries, particularly with regard to the activities of the European Training Foundation.

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In line with the procedure set out in Article 6(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 (EC) No 1279/96

, within the limits established by the annual budgetary decisions, the Commission shall ensure consistency and complementarity between Tempus III and other Community actions undertaken both in the Community and as part of assistance provided to eligible countries, particularly with regard to the activities of the European Training Foundation.

(Amendment 15)

Article 9(2), 4th indent

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- mutual exchange of information on all relevant initiatives in this field.

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mutual exchange of information on all relevant regional, national and institutional initiatives in this field.

(Amendment 16)

Article 11, 4th paragraph (new)

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The Commission shall draw up these reports after consulting the Tempus Committee and hearing the participants.

(Amendment 17)

Annex, Joint European Projects (2)(iv)(a)

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(a) grants will be provided for teaching / administrative staff at universities or to trainers in companies in the Member States to carry out teaching / training assignments for periods lasting from one week to one year in eligible countries and vice versa;

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(a)

grants will be provided for teaching / administrative staff at 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;

(Amendment 18)

Annex, Structural and/or complementary measures, 2nd paragraph (new)

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Under the complementary measures, financial aid will be granted inter alia in order to:

- establish European professorships in the eligible countries, along the lines of the Fulbright and Jean Monnet Programme scholarships,

- support courses in the language and culture of the host country of the teachers, students or other staff in the educational/training sector, as well as in the language of teaching,

- support courses in the minority languages and cultures of the eligible countries,

- support exchange programmes between students from the ethnic, linguistic and/or cultural minorities of the eligible countries.

Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a Council decision adopting the third phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education Tempus III (2000-2006) (COM(98)0454 - C4-0554/98 - 98/0246(CNS))(Consultation procedure)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to the Council, COM(98)0454 - 98/0246(CNS) ((OJ C 270, 29.8.1998, p 9.)),

- having been consulted by the Council pursuant to Article 235 of the EC Treaty (C4-0554/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media and the opinions of the Committee on Budgets and the Committee on External Economic Relations (A4-0464/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to notify Parliament should it intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament;

4. Asks to be consulted again should the Council intend to make substantial modifications to the Commission proposal;

5. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.