COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
Brussels, 05.07.1995 
COM(95) 316 final 
94/0199 (COD) 
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 
establishing 1996 as the "European Year of Lifelong Learning" 
AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION 
pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC Treaty 

Explanatory memorandum 
The Commission submitted its proposal to the Parliament and Council on 29 September 
1994. 
The Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions delivered their 
opinions on 23 November and 16 November 1994 respectively. 
The Standing Committee of EFT A States of the EEA transmitted its common position on 
15 December 1994. 
The European Parliament voted on the proposal at first reading on 16 March 1995 and 
put forward 39 amendments. 
The Commission submitted its amended proposal on 31 March 1995. 27 Parliament 
amendments were accepted, some of them in part or in spirit. 12 were rejected. 
The Council adopted a common position on 20 April 1995. 26 amendments were adopted, 
in spirit if not in the precise form. 
The European Parliament voted on the proposal at second reading on 15 June 1995 and 
put forward two amendments. 
Opmfon of the Commission on the European Parliament amendments 
The Commission accepts the two amendments voted by Parliament. 
These amendments provide a better balance to the reference to the role of the social 
partners in lifelong learmng and identify collective agreements, which must be consistent 
with national rales, as a means of fulfilling this role. 
Amended proposal relating to the proposal for a 
Parliament and Council Decision 
establishing 1996 as the "European Year of Lifelong Learning" 
In accordance with Article 189a (2) of the EC Treaty, the Commission is presenting 
below an amended proposal taking account of the two European Parliament amendments 
and the common position of the Council. 
Amendment 1 
Article 2 (6) 
The raising of awareness of the social 
partners of the importance of the 
creation of new opportunities for lifelong 
learning in the context of European 
competitiveness and highly employment-
intensive economic growth. Article 2 (6) 
The raising of awareness of the social 
partners of the importance of the 
creation of and participation in new 
opportunities for lifelong learning in the 
context of European competitiveness and 
highly employment-intensive economic 
growth. 
Otherwise unchanged 
Amendment 2 
Article 3 Article 3 
..., those promoting amongst employers 
a willingness to contribute to the 
provision of initial training and 
continuing training, those which show 
the contribution made by international 
cooperation, and those which disseminate 
the results of Community interventions. ..., those promoting amongst the social 
partners, in a manner consistent with 
national rules and, where applicable, 
through collective agreements, a 
willingness to contribute to the provision 
of initial training and continuing training, 
those which show the contribution made 
by international cooperation, and those 
which disseminate the results of 
Community interventions. 
Otherwise unchanged 

ISSN 0254-1475 
COM(95) 316 final 
EN 16 
Catalogue riumiier : CB-C0-95-346-EN-C 
ISBN92-77-91195-6 
Office for Official Publicatioas of the European Communities 
L-2985 Luxembourg ,