OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a programme for the enhancement of quality in higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through co-operation with third countries (Erasmus Mundus) (2004-2008) AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty

2002/0165 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL establishing a programme for the enhancement of quality in higher education and the promotion of intercultural understanding through co-operation with third countries (Erasmus Mundus) (2004-2008)

1. Introduction

Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty provides that the Commission is to deliver an opinion on the amendments proposed by the European Parliament at second reading. The Commission sets out its opinion below on the 7 amendments proposed by Parliament.

2. Background

a) Transmission of the Commission proposal (COM(2002) 401 final 2002/0165 (COD)) to the European Parliament and to the Council: 18 July 2002

b) Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee: 26 February 2003.

c) Opinion of the Committee of the Regions: 9 April 2003.

d) Opinion of the European Parliament (first reading): 8 April 2003.

e) Adoption of the Commission amended proposal (COM(2003) 239 final 2002/0165 (COD)) pursuant to article 250, paragraph 2 of the Treaty: 29 April 2003.

f) Adoption of the Council common position: 16 June 2003.

g) Adoption of the Parliament's amendments in second reading: 21 October 2003.

3. Purpose of the proposal

Based on Article 149, the proposal seeks to establish a Community programme whose overall aim is to enhance quality education by improving the perception of European higher education world-wide and by fostering co-operation with third countries in order to improve the development of human resources and to promote dialogue and understanding between peoples and cultures. The proposal provides a response to the challenges faced by European higher education today, in particular the need to stimulate the process of convergence of degree structure and enhance attractiveness world-wide. These are themes central to the Sorbonne/Bologna/Prague processes and to national reform in higher education in Member States.

4. Opinion of the Commission on the amendments by the European Parliament

Total number of amendments: 7

Amendments accepted in full: 7

Amendments accepted by the Commission

The Commission accepts six amendments that contribute to clarifying and reinforcing certain aspects of the text:

- Amendment 1, adds a reference clarifying that higher professional training is part of higher education; amendment 2, introduces a new recital referring to the renewal of the existing programmes and the promotion of access to Erasmus Mundus for European students; amendments 3 and 6, reinforce the notion of Erasmus Mundus Masters Courses being selected on the basis of course quality and quality of the hosting arrangements; and amendments 4 and 7, reinforce references to the learning and use of two languages (without prejudice to the language of instruction) already covered in the annex.

The Commission also accepts amendment 5, which proposes a budget of EUR 230 million for the programme; this amount is adequate for a flagship programme like Erasmus Mundus and is in line with the Commission's financial programming for the enlarged European Union.

5. Conclusion

Pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty, the Commission amends its proposal as set out above.