Opinion of the Economic and Social Committee on the "Commission proposal for a Council Decision modifying Decision 1999/311/EC of 29 April 1999 adopting the third phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education (Tempus III) (2000-2006)"

(2000/C 204/15)

On 5 May 2000, the Council decided to consult the Economic and Social Committee, under Article 262 of the Treaty instituting the European Community, on the above-mentioned proposal.

The Section for External Relations was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on the subject, In the course of its work, the Economic and Social Committee appointed Ms Florio as Rapporteur-General (Rules 20 and 50 of the Rules of Procedure).

At its 373rd plenary session (meeting of 24 May 2000), the Economic and Social Committee adopted the following opinion by 81 votes in favour and 1 abstention.

1. Introduction

1.1. The Tempus programme

1.1.1. The Tempus programme establishing a trans-European mobility scheme for university studies was launched under Decision No 90/233/EEC of 7 May 1990. At that time the beneficiary countries included the countries participating in the Phare programme, which set in motion a more systematic policy to support socio-economic reform in the countries of central and eastern Europe.

1.1.2. The programme entered into a second phase in 1993, with Council Decision 93/246/EEC covering the period 1994-1998. During this second phase (Tempus II), funding was extended to the Tacis programme countries, i.e. the New Independent States of the former Soviet Union and Mongolia.

1.1.3. Higher education and training, and reform and restructuring in this sector, have therefore been identified as one of the priorities of international cooperation to bring the partner countries closer to the EU. In the countries concerned, the joint action has acted as a catalyst for strategical planning and institutional development focusing on reform of specific aspects of education.

1.1.4. The adoption of the successive phases and extension of the programme to new countries in central and eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union are consistent with socio-economic changes in the partner countries and conducive to balanced international relations.

2. Tempus III

2.1. A further phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education (Tempus III) was adopted by Council Decision No 311/1999 of 29 April 1999. This new phase is planned to start on 1 July 2000, for a period of six years (2000-2006).

2.2. Article 2 of the Council Decision defines the countries to receive financial aid, viz: the non-associated countries of central and eastern Europe eligible under Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 (Phare programme) and the new Independent States of the former Soviet Union, as laid down in Council Regulation (EC/Euratom) No 1279/96 (Tacis programme).

3. Proposed Decision

3.1. A footnote was inserted in Article 2, specifying the non-associated countries which are "at present" eligible to participate in the programme on the basis of the above Regulation and referring solely to Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

3.2. Developments in international relations and the changes that have already taken place in some countries, and are to be hoped for in others, have suggested the possibility of extending the new phase of the Tempus programme to other countries in the region. In particular it was considered important to include Croatia among the countries eligible to benefit from the Tempus programme, in the light of its recent democratic progress.

3.3. The Commission has therefore raised the question of revising the earlier text and presented a proposal for a Council Decision seeking to amend the content of Article 2 of Decision No 311/1999 by deleting the footnote which, given the present circumstances, has proved too restrictive and in effect rules out the inclusion of Croatia.

4. Comments

4.1. Bearing in mind that universities can play a key role in the process of reshaping society as a whole and in promoting cooperation between populations, and looking ahead to the far-reaching socio-economic reforms that Croatia will need to face in the process of rapprochement with the EU, the Committee supports its inclusion among the programme's beneficiary countries.

The inclusion of Croatia in the Tempus III programme is not only important in strengthening the ties between the European Union and its neighbours but can also be a major factor in rebuilding the vital network of constructive relations in the Balkan region so brutally disrupted during the recent conflict.

4.2. From the angle of future EU policies, the extension of the Tempus programme is vital in helping countries to attain their specific priorities, defined jointly by the European Commission and the national authorities, and thereby contributing to the ongoing processes of economic reform and democratic consolidation. The value of this contribution is particularly evident in cases where the new phase of the Tempus programme can be expected to foster links outside the university environment, with civil society and business circles.

4.3. Further, the aims of the Tempus programme include the restructuring of both the curricula and the organisation and management of higher education systems; it can therefore prove especially useful to identify examples of best practice in the official administrative bodies responsible for dispensing learning.

4.4. Once again the Committee would draw attention to the productive results achieved in the previous phases of the Tempus programme; it hopes that the amendment to the text of Council Decision 1999/311/EC, required to include Croatia among the beneficiary countries will be speedily incorporated into the new programme.

Brussels, 24 May 2000.

The President

of the Economic and Social Committee

Beatrice Rangoni Machiavelli