COMVIISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
C0M(94) 490 final - COD 474 
Brussels, 10.11.1994 
OPINION OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 b (2) (d) of the EC Treaty, 
on the European Parliament's amendments 
to the Council's common position regarding the 
proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
adopting the third stage of the 'Youth for Europe" Programme, 
aimed at promoting the development of youth exchanges and 
youth activities within the Community 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 
EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
Article 189b, paragraph 2 point d) of the Treaty on EC provides that the Commission shall deliver an 
opinion on the amendments which the European Parliament proposes in a second reading. 
The Commission sets out below its opinion on the 8 amendments proposed by the European 
Parliament. It also attaches, by virtue of Article 189 A, paragraph 2 of the EC Treaty, a modified 
proposal which incorporates the 6 amendments made by the European Parliament which it has 
accepted. 
1. HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 
a) On 15 December 1993, the Commission delivered to the Council and the European Parliament 
its proposal for Decision (COM(93)523 final - COD 474). 
b) On 23 March. 1994, the Economic and Social Committee issued a favourable opinion. 
c) On 17 May 1994, the Committee of the Regions issued a favourable opinion. 
d) On 19 April 1994, the European Parliament adopted a favourable resolution at its first reading, 
containing 33 amendments to the proposal of the Commission. 
e) On 16 May 1994, the Commission adopted, in accordance with Article 189 A, paragraph 2 
of the EC Treaty, a modified proposal integrating, in whole or in part, 30 of the European 
Parliament's 33 amendments (COM(94)186 final - COD 474). 
f) On 11 July 1994, the Council adopted a common position. 
g) On 14 July 1994, the Commission noted the common position and it informed the European 
Parliament of its position on this common position (SEC(94) 1169 final - COD 474). 
h) On 26 October 1994, the European Parliament voted on the second reading, and adopted a 
favourable resolution which includes 8 amendments to the common position. 
2. PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSAL FOR A DECISION 
The proposal for a decision aims at promoting cooperative action in the youth field within the 
Community. 
The main objective of the programme is to contribute to fostering quality education by 
developing exchange activities within the Community, by other supplementary activities in the 
field of youth connected with such exchanges, and by exchanges with non-member countries 
with which the Community has concluded in particular cooperation agreements. 
THE COMMISSION'S OPINION ON THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT'S AMENDMENTS 
After examining the amendments proposed by the European Parliament at its second reading, the 
Commission is able to support those: 
which agree with its initial proposal, or 
which agree with its opinion on the amendments of the European Parliament presented 
during its first reading, or 
provide useful clarification to the text. 
1. AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED BY THE COMMISSION 
The Commission is able to accept amendments nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8, and has incorporated 
them in its new modified proposal for re-examination by the Council. 
Amendment no. 1 (10th recital (a)) underlines the importance of giving the children of 
immigrants the opportunity to discover the culture of their country of origin. 
Amendment no. 2 (13th recital) provides for Cyprus and Malta to participate in the 
programme on an equal footing with the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe 
which are already covered by the recital in question. The Commission is able to accept the 
principles of this amendment in both the "recitals" and the provisions of the decision (sec here 
amendment no. 6) subject to the following modifications: the phrase "... European countries 
deemed to fulfil the conditions for accession to the Union..." should be removed; the wording 
"... provided that appropriate additional financial resources arc made available to this effect" 
instead of "... and earmarking the necessary additional appropriations". It is important to 
ensure that funds be available prior to any opening of the programme to other countries. 
Amendment no. 3 (article 2) sets the dale of the coming into effect of the programme as 1 
January 1995, and calls for the removal of the estimated necessary amount (ENA). 
Amendment no. 6 (article 7 point 4), concerns the participation of Cyprus and Malta in the 
Programme. Sec comments made to amendment no. 2. 
Amendment no. 7 (Annexe, Action All. I point c) calls for the encouragement, not only of the 
actual mobility of young people, but also of virtual mobility between young people from 
different groups and regions. 
Amendment no. 8 (Annexe, Action E (2)) calls for increasing use of the media, not only to 
promote the objectives of the programme, but also to make them better known, and to 
promote and publicize the results. 
1 
2. AMENDMENTS REJECTED BY THE COMMISSION 
Amendments 4 and 5 have been rejected by tfre Commission. 
Amendment no. 4 (article 6) concerns the programme Committee. It introduces the 
requirement for the Commission to submit to Parliament a draft of the measures to be taken 
to implement the programme and to take account of the priority adopted by the Parliamentary 
Committee with a view, if necessary, to amending its draft decision. 
The Commission maintains the formula of an Advisory Committee, as proposed in both its 
initial and modified proposals, for two reasons: 
the Advisory Committee is the appropriate instrument for implementing a programme 
like "Youth for Europe", given the non-normative character of the measures to be 
taken in the execution of the Decision; 
the procedure of submitting draft measures to Parliament is rigid and non-pragmatic 
with regard to the effective implementation of the programme. 
Amendment no. 5 (article 4) calls for consideration to be given to ways of making the 
programme more flexible, so that it can be adapted to particularly disadvantaged young people. 
It also introduces a definition of disadvantaged young people which establishes a 
categorization of this target group, a scale of degree of poverty, and a link between this degree 
of poverty and the impossibility of assuming responsibilities or enjoying basic rights. 
This amendment, included in full by the Commission at its first reading, has been taken over 
in the spirit, and in part in its specific wording, in the "heading" of the annexe to the joint 
position. This text of the common position is more appropriate, as it avoids introducing 
degrees of poverty and exclusion. 
CONCLUSIONS 
By way of conclusion, the Commission believes that the European Parliament's proposals for 
amendments nos. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7 and 8 to the common position strengthen the text with regard to the 
participation of other countries in the programme, and also the aspects of inter-cultural learning, 
mobility, and the use of media within the context of the programme, thèse being perfectly compatible 
with the objectives of the proposal for a Decision. 
The amended proposal incorporates these amendments. 
3 
Amended proposal for a 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND COUNCIL DECISION 
relating to the 'Youth for Europe OF programme 
aimed at promoting the development of youth exchanges and 
youth activities within the Community 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 A (2) 
of the EC-Treaty) 
4-
^^Commonimsiûoir of the Council. .Modifications 
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE 
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Community, and in particular 
Article 126 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission ', 
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee 2, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of 
Regions 3, 
Acting in accordance with the procedure referred 
to in Article 189b4, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE 
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, 
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the 
European Community, and in particular 
Article 126 thereof, 
Having regard to the proposal from the 
Commission ', 
Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee 2, 
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of 
Regions \ 
Acting in accordance with the procedure referred 
to in Article 189b 4, 
Whereas on 16 June 1988 the Council adopted 
Decision 88/348/EEC adopting an action 
programme for the promotion of youth exchanges 
in the Community - "Youth for Europe" 
programme 5 and, on 29 July 1991, 
Decision 91 /395/EEC adopting the "Youth for 
Europe II" programme, second phase 6, for the 
period running from 1 January 1992 to 
31 December 1994; 
Whereas Council Decision 87/569/EEC of 
1 December 1987 concerning an action programme 
for the vocational training of young people and 
their preparation for adult and working life 7 
(PETRA) sets out to encourage the development of 
entrepreneurial skills, creativity and initiative 
among young people; Whereas on 16 June 1988 the Council adopted 
Decision 88/348/EEC adopting an action 
programme for the promotion of youth exchanges 
in the Community - "Youth for Europe" 
programme 5 and, on 29 July 1991, 
Decision 91/395/EEC adopting the "Youth for 
Europe II" programme, second phase 6, for the 
period running from 1 January 1992 to 
31 December 1994; 
Whereas Council Decision 87/569/EEC of 
1 December 1987 concerning an action programme 
for the vocational training of young people and 
their preparation for adult and working life 7 
(PETRA) sets out to encourage the development of 
entrepreneurial skills, creativity and initiative 
among young people; 
.Common position of the Council_ Modifications 
Whereas in Council Decision 89/489/EEC of 
28 July 1989 establishing an action programme to 
promote foreign language competence in the 
European Community (LINGUA) 8 it was stressed 
that the "Youth for Europe" programme would not 
fully achieve its stated objectives without 
accompanying measures to promote training in 
foreign languages, and whereas the LINGUA 
programme provided assistance only for projects 
organized by teaching and training establishments; 
Whereas the Resolution of the Council and of the 
Ministers meeting within the Council of 
26 June 1991 on priority actions in the youth 
field9 affirmed the wish, on the basis of 
experience acquired in the framework of the 
"Youth for Europe" programme, to intensify their 
co-operation on exchanges and mobility of young 
people with the EFTA countries, with the Central 
and Eastern European countries and in the context 
of the North-South dialogue; 
Whereas the European Parliament has repeatedly 
actively supported the development of actions and 
programmes at Community level in the youth 
field, in particular in its report of 24 May 1991 on 
"Community policies and their impact on youth"; 
Whereas the conclusions of the, Edinburgh 
European Council, meeting on 11 and 
12 December 1992, reiterated at the Copenhagen 
European Council, meeting on 20 and 
21 June 1993, underline the requirement that 
activities taken to develop the independence and 
creativity of young people must be maintained and 
that vigorous and effective measures must be taken 
to combat racism and xenophobia, particularly 
through the education of young people; 
Whereas youth exchanges are an appropriate 
method for improving understanding and 
becoming better acquainted with the diverse 
cultures of the Member States, and therefore help 
strengthen democracy, tolerance and cohesion in 
the Community and deepen the whole fabric of 
inter-relations being woven between the people of 
Europe; whereas, in that context, young people's 
active participation in preparing, implementing and 
monitoring their own projects can be used to 
underpin the relations between young people in the 
Community and their active citizenship; Whereas in Council Decision 89/489/EEC of 
28 July 1989 establishing an action programme to 
promote foreign language competence in the 
European Community (LINGUA) 8 it was stressed 
that the "Youth for Europe" programme would not 
fully achieve its stated objectives without 
accompanying measures to promote training in 
foreign languages, and whereas the LINGUA 
programme provided assistance only for projects 
organized by teaching and training establishments; 
Whereas the Resolution of the Council and of the 
Ministers meeting within the Council of 
26 June 1991 on priority actions in the youth 
field9 affirmed the wish, on the basis of 
experience acquired in the framework of the 
"Youth for Europe" programme, to intensify their 
co-operation on exchanges and mobility of young 
people with the EFTA countries, with the Central 
and Eastern European countries and in the context 
of the North-South dialogue; 
Whereas the European Parliament has repeatedly 
actively supported the development of actions and 
programmes at Community level in the youth 
field, in particular in its report of 24 May 1991 on 
"Community policies and their impact on youth"; 
Whereas the conclusions of the Edinburgh 
European Council, meeting on 11 and 
12 December 1992, reiterated at the Copenhagen 
European Council, meeting on 20 and 
21 June 1993, underline the requirement that 
activities taken to develop the independence and 
creativity of young people must be maintained and 
that vigorous and effective measures must be taken 
to combat racism and xenophobia, particularly 
through the education of young people; 
Whereas youth exchanges are an appropriate 
method for improving understanding and 
becoming better acquainted with the diverse 
cultures of the Member States, and therefore help 
strengthen democracy, tolerance and cohesion in 
the Community and deepen the whole fabric of 
inter-relations being woven between the people of 
Europe; whereas, in that context, young people's 
active participation in preparing, implementing and 
monitoring their own projects can be used to 
underpin the relations between young people in the 
Community and their active citizenship; 
.Common position of the Council, Modifications 
Whereas, in that respect, it is important to promote 
the active participation of disadvantaged young 
people in these activities; whereas it is necessary 
to promote this by the selection of actions centred 
on the social and educative role of youth leaders; 
and whereas the establishment of such a 
Community action, on the basis of previous 
experience, gives added value at Community level; 
Whereas the Commission Communication to the 
European Parliament and the Council of 
2 September 1992 on the Youth Information 
Action Plan affirmed the importance for the 
Community of an information drive among young 
people at European level; 
Whereas it is necessary to reinforce the links 
between the actions undertaken under the "Youth 
for Europe" programme and those pursued within 
the framework of social policy, the fight against 
racism and xenophobia, and co-operation with 
non-member countries; 
Whereas Community action in the youth field is 
developed in the context of the objectives set out 
in Article 126 of the Treaty, that is the promotion 
of youth exchanges and of youth workers, in 
conjunction with co-operation with non-member 
countries; Whereas, in that respect, it is important to promote 
the active participation of disadvantaged young 
people in these activities; whereas it is necessary 
to promote this by the selection of actions centred 
on the social and educative role of youth leaders; 
and whereas, the establishment of such a 
Community action, on the basis of previous 
experience, gives added value at Community level; 
Whereas the Commission Communication to the 
European Parliament and the Council of 
2 September 1992 on the Youth Information 
Action Plan affirmed the importance for the 
Community of an information drive among young 
people at European level; 
Whereas it is necessary to reinforce the links 
between the actions undertaken under the "Youth 
for Europe" programme and those pursued within 
the framework of social policy, the fight against 
racism and xenophobia, and co-operation with 
non-member countries; 
Whereas it is particulars important to give the 
children of inmigrants the opportunity to discover 
the culture of their country of origin. 
Whereas Community action in the youth field is 
developed in the context of the objectives set out 
in Article 126 of the Treaty, that is the promotion 
of youth exchanges and of youth workers, in 
conjunction with co-operation with non-member 
countries; 
Whereas implementation of the "Youth for 
Europe" programme must be based on 
decentralized structures set up by Member States 
for the purpose of reinforcing co-operation with 
the national authorities responsible for youth 
questions, whilst continuing to respect the 
principle of subsidiarity, as defined in Article 3b 
of the Treaty; Whereas implementation of the "Youth for 
Europe" programme must be based on 
decentralized structures set up by Member States 
for the purpose of reinforcing co-operation with 
the national authorities responsible for youth 
questions, whilst continuing to respect the 
principle of subsidiarity, as defined in Article 3b 
of the Treaty; 
#* 
Common position of the Council_ Modifications 
Whereas, in the light of the conclusions of the 
European Council meeting in Copenhagen 
(June 1993), provision should be made, where 
appropriate, for the associated countries of Central 
and Eastern Europe to participate in the 
"Youth for Europe" programme on the basis of the 
experience gained following the opening up of the 
programme to the EEA countries, Whereas the "Youth for Europe" programme 
should make provision for the participation of 
Cyprus and Malta as well as the associated 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe, following 
the conclusions of the European Council in 
Copenhague (June 1993): whereas the Commission 
is called on to make proposals for opening up the 
Community programme to these countries, taking 
as a starting point the programmes which are 
already open to the participation of the EFTA 
countries provided that appropriate additional 
fincwicial resources are made available to this 
tffeçf,. 
..Common Position of the Council 
Modifications 
Article, 2 
Financial provisions Article 2 
Financial provisions 
The programme shall run for five years. 
The amount of Community funds deemed 
necessary to implement the whole programme 
is ECU 105 million under the financial perspective 
for 1993 to 1999. The programme shall run for 5 years from 
I, L1995. 
(Second indent deleted) 
The budgetary.. authority shall determine the 
appropriations available for each financial year 
taking into account the principles of sound 
management referred to in Article 2 of the 
Financial Regulation applicable to the general 
budget of the European Communities. The budgetary authority shall determine the 
appropriations available for each financial year 
taking into account the principles of sound 
management referred to in Article 2 of the 
Financial Regulation applicable to the general 
budget of the European Communities. 
.Common position of the Council, 
Modifications 
Article 7 
Implementation Article 7 
Implementation 
4.The programme may be opened up, where 
appropriate, (in ways to be agreed on) to the 
participation of the countries of Central and 
Eastern Europe which have association agreements 
with the Community, on the basis of additional 
appropriations provided by those countries. 4. The "Youth for Europe" programme must be 
opened up (in ways to be agreed on) to the 
participation of Cyprus and Malta as well as to the 
countries of Central and Eastern Europe which 
have association agreements with the European 
Union provided that appropriate additional 
financial resources are made to this effect. 
~ < 
| ID 
jCommon position of the Council, Modifications 
AWES AWEX 
ACTION A.II: SPIRIT OF INITIATIVE, 
CREATIVITY- AND SOLIDARITY AMONG 
YOUNG PEOPLE ACTION A.II: SPIRIT OF INITIATIVE, 
CREATIVITY AND SOLIDARITY AMONG 
YOUNG PEOPLE 
1. Youth initiatives 1. Youth initiatives 
(e) Assistance for youth initiatives may be 
spread over two consecutive years and 
cover projects with a Community 
dimension at local, regional or national 
level and promotion of the transnational 
aspect, as well as effective establishment of 
co-operation networks or partnership 
schemes. (e) Assistance for youth initiatives may be 
spread over two consecutive years and 
cover projects with a Community 
dimension at local, regional or national 
level and promotion of the transnational 
aspect, as well as effective establishment of 
, co-operation networks or partnership 
schemes promoting the development of 
mobility, either actual or potential, between 
young people from different groups and 
different regions. 
ACTION E: INFORMATION FOR YOUNG 
PEOPLE AND YOUTH RESEARCH ACTION E: INFORMATION FOR YOUNG 
PEOPLE AND YOUTH RESEARCH 
- using existing youth information networks 
at European level - increasingly using the media to publicize 
and promote the programme's objectives 
and results 
I « 
Common position of Hic Council Modifications 
1. 
2. OJ No C 14$, 30.5.1994, p. 9. 
3. Opinion delivered on 31 May 1994 (not yet published in the Official Jouraal). 
4. Opinion of the European Parliament of 19 April 1994 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council 
Common Position of (not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the European 
Parliament of (not yet published in the Official Journal). 
5. OJ No L 158, 25. 6.1988, p. 42. 
6.0JNoL217, 6. 8.1991, p. 25. 
7. OJ No L 346, 10.12.1987, p. 31. Decision as amended by Decision 91/387/EEC (OJ No L 214, 
2.8.1991, p. 69). 
8. 01 No L 239, 16. 8.1989, p. 24. 
9. 01 No C 208, 9. 8.1991, p. 1. 
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COM(94) 490 final 
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