Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 189B(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 189A(2) of the EC Treaty)
Date: 1994-11-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European Movement, action programme, cultural cooperation, education policy, young person, youth exchange scheme

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  A r t i c le  189  a  ( 2)  of  the  EC  T r e a ty 

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. 

a) 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) 

g) 

h) 

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND 

On  15 December  1993, the Commission delivered to the Council and the European  Parliament 
its proposal  for  Decision  (COM(93)523 final - COD 474). 

On 23 March. 1994, the Economic and  Social  Committee issued  a favourable  opinion. 

On  17 May  1994, the Committee of the  Regions  issued  a favourable  opinion. 

On 19 April  1994, the European Parliament adopted a favourable resolution at its first reading, 
containing  33 amendments  to the proposal of the Commission. 

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). 

On  11 July  1994, the Council  adopted  a common  position. 

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). 

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" 
It  is  important  to 
instead  of  "...  and  earmarking  the  necessary  additional  appropriations". 
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, 

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  Treaty  establishing  the 
European  Community, 
in  particular 
Article  126 thereof, 

and 

Having  regard  to 
Commission  ', 

the  proposal 

from 

the 

Having  regard  to  the  proposal 
Commission  ', 

from 

the 

Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee 2, 

Having regard to the Opinion of the Economic and 
Social Committee 2, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of 
Regions 3, 

Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of 
Regions  \ 

Acting in accordance with the procedure referred 
to in Article  189b4, 

Acting in accordance with the procedure referred 
to in Article  189b 4, 

an 

adopting 

the  Community -  "Youth 

Whereas  on  16 June  1988  the  Council  adopted 
action 
Decision  88/348/EEC 
programme for the promotion of youth exchanges 
in 
for  Europe" 
programme  5 
Decision 91 /395/EEC  adopting  the  "Youth  for 
Europe  II"  programme,  second  phase 6,  for  the 
period 
to 
from 
31 December  1994; 

29  July  1991, 

1 January  1992 

running 

and, 

on 

an 

adopting 

the  Community  -  "Youth 

Whereas  on  16 June  1988  the  Council  adopted 
action 
Decision  88/348/EEC 
programme for the promotion of youth exchanges 
in 
for  Europe" 
programme  5 
29  July  1991, 
Decision 91/395/EEC  adopting  the  "Youth  for 
Europe II"  programme,  second  phase 6,  for  the 
period 
to 
31 December  1994; 

1 January  1992 

running 

from 

and, 

on 

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  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 

language  competence 

Whereas 
in  Council  Decision  89/489/EEC  of 
28  July  1989 establishing  an action programme  to 
in  the 
promote  foreign 
European  Community  (LINGUA)  8 it was stressed 
that the  "Youth  for  Europe" programme  would  not 
fully 
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; 

achieve 

its 

language  competence 

Whereas 
in  Council  Decision  89/489/EEC  of 
28  July  1989 establishing an action  programme  to 
the 
promote  foreign 
European Community (LINGUA)  8 it was  stressed 
that the  "Youth  for  Europe" programme  would  not 
fully 
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; 

achieve 

its 

in 

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; 

affirmed 

the  Council 

Whereas the Resolution  of the Council  and of the 
Ministers  meeting  within 
of 
26  June  1991  on  priority  actions  in  the  youth 
field9 
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  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"; 

on 

the  conclusions  of 

the,  Edinburgh 
Whereas 
European  Council,  meeting 
11  and 
12 December  1992,  reiterated  at the  Copenhagen 
European  Council,  meeting 
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; 

on 

20 

on 

the  conclusions  of 

the  Edinburgh 
Whereas 
European  Council,  meeting 
11  and 
12 December  1992,  reiterated  at the  Copenhagen 
European  Council,  meeting 
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; 

on 

20 

for 

Whereas  youth  exchanges  are  an  appropriate 
method 
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; 

for 

improving  understanding 

Whereas  youth  exchanges  are  an  appropriate 
method 
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, 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 
the  importance  for  the 
Action  Plan  affirmed 
Community of an information  drive among young 
people at  European  level; 

Whereas the  Commission  Communication  to  the 
European  Parliament  and 
the  Council  of 
2  September  1992  on  the  Youth  Information 
the  importance  for  the 
Action  Plan  affirmed 
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  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  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; 

implementation  of  the  "Youth 

Whereas 
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 
the 
principle of  subsidiarity,  as defined  in Article 3b 
of the Treaty; 

to  respect 

implementation  of  the  "Youth 

Whereas 
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 
the 
principle  of subsidiarity, as defined  in Article 3b 
of the Treaty; 

to  respect 

#* 

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 
the 
"Youth  for  Europe" programme on the basis of the 
experience  gained  following the opening up of the 
programme  to  the  EEA  countries, 

to  participate 

in 

the  European  Council 

the  "Youth  for  Europe"  programme 
Whereas 
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 
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 

Article, 2 

Financial  provisions 

Modifications 

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  budgetary.. authority  shall  determine  the 
appropriations  available  for  each  financial  year 
into  account  the  principles  of  sound 
taking 
to  in  Article 2  of  the 
management  referred 
Financial  Regulation  applicable  to  the  general 
budget of the European Communities. 

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. 

.Common position of the  Council, 

Article  7 

Implementation 

Modifications 

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 
additional 
Union  provided 
financial  resources  are made  to  this  effect. 

that  appropriate 

~ 

< 

| 

ID 

jCommon position of the Council, 

Modifications 

AWES 

AWEX 

ACTION  A.II: 
SPIRIT  OF  INITIATIVE, 
CREATIVITY-  AND  SOLIDARITY  AMONG 
YOUNG  PEOPLE 

ACTION  A.II: 
INITIATIVE, 
CREATIVITY  AND  SOLIDARITY  AMONG 
YOUNG  PEOPLE 

SPIRIT  OF 

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: 
PEOPLE AND YOUTH  RESEARCH 

INFORMATION  FOR  YOUNG 

ACTION  E: 
PEOPLE AND YOUTH  RESEARCH 

INFORMATION  FOR  YOUNG 

- 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 
Parliament of 

(not yet published in the Official Journal) and Decision of the European 

(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. 3 1.  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. 

12-

BSN 0254-1475 

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