WRITTEN QUESTION E-1684/98

by Kirsi Piha (PPE) to the Commission

(29 May 1998)

Subject: Utilization of PHARE appropriations in the Czech Republic

Educational cooperation is one of the most important forms of grass-roots cooperation between the EU Member States and the candidate countries.

Of the PHARE appropriations intended for the Czech Republic, how much was utilized in 1997 for such cooperation and what proportion of these appropriations did it represent?

Joint answer

to Written Questions E-1682/98, E-1683/98 and E-1684/98 given by Mr van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(2 July 1998)

The Community attaches importance to the development of quality education and to the implementation of a vocational training system in all the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe. Phare funds have been allocated since 1992 to improve the education systems in those countries. In particular, the Tempus programme has substantially contributed to the achievement of the goals of higher education reform and has created the basis for co-operation between higher education institutions in these countries and those of the Community. The Community has opened programmes such as Leonardo and Socrates to participation of these countries.

In 1997, the following Phare allocations have been made to education:

- Hungary

Phare support to education-related programmes in Hungary amounted to ECU 11 million in 1997. This figure represents 12,5 % of the 1997 Hungarian Phare National allocation.

Out of the above-mentioned amount, ECU 7 million were earmarked for Hungarian participation in the Tempus programme and ECU 4 million to support Hungarian participation in the Community programmes Leonardo, Socrates and Youth for Europe.

- Slovenia

Support to higher education: ECU 0,3 million to support higher education through a number of activities, including Jean Monet chair, scholarships for the College of Europe in Bruges and for other universities, curriculum development related to European studies and research co-operation, as well as a research project in European affairs.

Vocational education: ECU 1 million to assist the creation of a system of life-long learning for youth and adults, further developing the qualitative aspects of vocational education and training and focusing on regional and sectoral areas as well as on developing comparability of qualifications and regulations in this field.

Professional qualifications: ECU 1 million to support the development of a certification system for professional education with the aim of establishing a flexible and responsive adult vocational training infrastructure. These two programmes will be managed together by the ministry for education and sport.

Tempus II programme: ECU 1,25 million.

Slovenia's participation in education-related programmes (Socrates, Leonardo and Youth for Europe) is under preparation, pending the finalisation of the ratification process of the Europe Agreement.

The allocation to education amounting to ECU 3,55 million represents 14,2 % of the overall budget for Slovenia in 1997.

- Czech Republic

Tempus II programme: ECU 3 million

Support to participation in education-related Community programmes (Socrates Leonardo and Youth for Europe): ECU 3,5 million

The allocation to education amounting to ECU 6,5 million represents 18,5 % of the overall budget for the Czech Republic for 1997.