Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting the third phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education (Tempus III) (2000-2006)
Date: 1999-02-02
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU programme, European cooperation, economic reform, higher education, student mobility

C 87/102

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29.3.1999

Amended proposal for a Council Decision adopting the third phase of the trans-European
scheme for higher education Tempus III (2000—2006) (1)

(1999/C 87/04)

(Text with EEA relevance)

COM(1999) 52 final — 98/0246 (CNS)

(Presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 a (2) of the EC-Treaty on 3 February
1999)

(1) OJ L 270, 29.8.1998, p. 9.

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European
Community, and in particular Article 235 thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission,

Having regard to the opinion of
Parliament,

the European

Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and
Social Committee,

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

N e w r e c i t a l p r e c e d i n g r e c i t a l 1

Whereas the European Council meeting in Strasbourg
on 8 and 9 December 1989 called on the Council to
adopt, on the basis of
from the
Commission, measures aimed at enabling the Central
and Eastern European countries
in
programmes in the areas of education and/or training
similar to the existing Community programmes;

to take part

a proposal

(1) Whereas the Council on 18 December 1989
adopted Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 on
economic aid to the Republic of Hungary and
the Polish People’s Republic (2), which provides
for aid to support the process of economic and
social reform in Central and Eastern European
countries in areas including training, and on
25 June 1996 adopted Regulation (EC, Euratom)
No
of
assistance to economic reform and recovery in
the new independent states of the former Soviet
Union and Mongolia (3),

concerning

provision

1279/96

the

(2) Whereas on 29 April 1993 the Council adopted
trans-European

second

phase

the

the

of

(2) OJ L 375, 23.12.1989, p. 11. Regulation amended most
recently by Regulation (EEC) No 753/96 (OJ L 103,
26.4.1996, p. 5).

(3) OJ L 165, 4.7.1996, p. 1.

29.3.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 87/103

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

for

higher

scheme

cooperation
education
(Tempus II) for a period of four years from 1 July
1994 (1) and thereafter amended its decision on
21 November 1996 to extend to six years the
duration
(1994-2000)
(96/663/EC) (2);

programme

this

of

(3) Whereas the countries of Central and Eastern
Europe, the new independent states of the former
are
Soviet Union
beneficiaries
PHARE and TACIS
programmes, consider training and, in particular,
higher education to be one of the key areas for
the process of economic and social reform;

and Mongolia, which

the

of

R e c i t a l 3 a ( n e w )

Whereas cooperation on higher education strengthens
and deepens the whole fabric of relations existing
between the peoples of Europe, brings out common
cultural values, allows fruitful exchanges of views to
take place and facilitates multinational activities
in the scientific, cultural, artistic, socio-economic and
commercial spheres;

(4) Whereas the recent establishment of Tempus in
the non-associated countries of Central and
Eastern Europe, in the new independent states of
the former Soviet Union and in Mongolia, whose
needs are greater and whose areas are more
extensive, fully warrants the continuation of the
measures undertaken;

R e c i t a l 5

(5) Whereas Tempus

an

can make

effective
contribution to the reform of higher education
systems required to improve occupational skills
adapted to the necessary economic reforms and
for
is no other
there
whereas
achieving this objective;

instrument

(5) Whereas Tempus

an

can make

effective
contribution to the structural development of
higher
improve
occupational skills adapted to economic reform
and whereas there is no other instrument for
achieving this objective;

education

required

to

R e c i t a l 5 a ( n e w )

Whereas Tempus
effective
contribution, via universities and university staff,

also make

can

an

(1) OJ L 112, 6.5.1993, p. 34.
(2) OJ L 306, 28.11.1996, p. 36.

C 87/104

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29.3.1999

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

to the development of public administration and
in the Central and Eastern
education structures
European countries, the new independent states and
Mongolia;

(6) Whereas Tempus

contribute

the
can
restoration of cooperation, interrupted by recent
events, between neighbouring regions of
the
Community and whereas this cooperation is a
factor of peace and stability in Europe;

to

R e c i t a l 7

(7) Whereas

in

the

countries

associated

the
pre-accession phase which have taken part in
Tempus I and Tempus II could now make a
useful contribution alongside the Member States
in assisting the partner countries who came into
to
the programme at a much later
restructure their higher education systems;

stage

(7) Whereas

in

the

countries

associated

the
pre-accession phase which have taken part in
Tempus I and Tempus II could now, thanks to
the experience they have acquired, make a useful
contribution alongside the Member States in
assisting the partner countries who came into the
programme at a much later stage to restructure
their higher education systems;

stipulates

(96/663/EC)

(8) Whereas Article 11 introduced by Council
Decision
the
Commission must carry out an evaluation of the
implementation of the Tempus programme and
submit no later than 30 April 1998 a proposal
for
the
programme for the period commencing on 1 July
2000;

the adjustment of

the extension or

that

R e c i t a l 9

(9) Whereas

the

the

users

competent

authorities

of
responsible

and Mongolia,
the

in the
countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the
the former Soviet
new independent states of
the
Union
programme,
for
structures
organising it in the eligible countries and in the
European Community, and the experts and
qualified representatives reflecting the views of
the university world in Europe,
the
findings of the evaluation report attesting to the
to make an effective
capacity of Tempus
to the
contribution in the eligible countries
diversification of educational opportunities and
to cooperation between universities,
thereby
paving the way for the development of scientific,
cultural and cooperation;

share

(9) Whereas

the

the

users

competent

authorities

of
responsible

and Mongolia,
the

in the
countries of Central and Eastern Europe, the
the former Soviet
new independent states of
the
Union
programme,
for
structures
organising it in the eligible countries and in the
European Community, and the experts and
qualified representatives reflecting the views of
the university world in Europe,
the
findings of the evaluation report attesting to the
to make an effective
capacity of Tempus
to the
contribution in the eligible countries
diversification of educational opportunities and
to cooperation between universities,
thereby
paving the way for the development of scientific,
cultural and economic and social cooperation;

share

29.3.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 87/105

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

R e c i t a l 9 a ( n e w )

Whereas the possibility should be provided of carrying
out joint activities between the Tempus III programme
and other Community programmes or actions with an
educational and/or training-related dimension,
thus
stimulating synergies and increasing the added value
of each of the Community actions;

(10) Whereas the Treaty does not provide, for the
action concerned, powers other than those of
Article 235, and the conditions for the use of
that Article have been satisfied;

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS:

Article 1

Duration of Tempus III

The third phase of the trans-European cooperation
scheme for university studies (hereinafter referred to as
(cid:28)Tempus III’) is hereby adopted for a period of six
years as form 1 July 2000.

Article 2

Eligible countries

Tempus III concerns the non-associated countries of
Central and Eastern Europe eligible for economic aid
by virtue of Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 (PHARE
programme) (1), and the new independent states of the
former Soviet Union and Mongolia mentioned in
Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1279/96 (TACIS
programme), subject to these assistance programmes
being prolonged for the period referred to. These
countries are hereinafter
(cid:28)eligible
countries’.

referred to as

in the

set out

On the basis of an evaluation of the specific situation
of each country the Commission, in accordance with
the procedures
abovementioned
regulations, shall determine in agreement with the
eligible countries concerned whether
they should
participate in Tempus III, and the nature and the
their participation in the national
conditions of
planning of Community assistance for
social and
economic reform.

(1) At present Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the former

Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.

C 87/106

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29.3.1999

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Article 3

Definitions

For the purposes of Tempus III:

(a)

(b)

(cid:28)university’ means any type of post-secondary
teaching and training establishment which,
in
higher education and training, award higher level
level
qualifications or diplomas, offers higher
qualifications
such
diplomas, whatever
establishments may be called in the Member
States;

or

irrespective of
and

types of
(cid:28)industry’ and (cid:28)company’ cover all
legal
status,
economic activity,
local
law bodies,
authorities
autonomous business organisations, chambers of
commerce and industry and/or their equivalents,
professional associations, employers’ and workers’
organisations, and the training bodies of
the
institutions and organisations mentioned above.

public

Each Member State or eligible country may determine
what types of establishment referred to in point (a)
can participate in Tempus III.

Article 4

Aims

The aims of Tempus III are to promote, in line with
the guidelines and general objectives of the PHARE
for economic and social
and TACIS programmes
reform,
the higher education
systems in the eligible countries through the most
balanced cooperation possible with the partners of all
the Member States of the Community.

the developement of

These actions are open to the associated countries of
Central and Eastern Europe so that what has been
achieved through Tempus can be shared with the
neighbouring countries and in order
to develop
regional cross-border cooperation.

A r t i c l e 4 ( 3 )

More specifically, Tempus III is intended to help the
higher education systems in the eligible countries to
address:

adaption of higher

More specifically, Tempus III is intended to facilitate
education to the new
the
socio-economic and cultural needs of
the eligible
countries by addressing:

29.3.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 87/107

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(a)

issues relating to the development and reshaping
of teaching syllabuses in the priority areas;

(b)

reform of higher
establishments and their management;

education structures

and

(c)

the development of
training opening on to
qualifications, with a view to making good the
shortage of high level skills needed for the period
of economic reform, particularly by improving
and increasing links with industry.

The Commission will, when pursuing the objectives of
Tempus III, endeavour to adhere to the Community’s
general policy on equal opportunities for men and
women. The same will apply for disadvantaged groups
such as those suffering from handicaps.

The Commission will, when pursuing the objectives of
Tempus III, endeavour to adhere to the Community’s
general policy on equal opportunities for men and
women. The Commission will also endeavour
to
ensure that no group of citizens
is excluded or
disadvantaged for any reason whatsoever.

Article 5

Dialogue with the eligible countries

In agreement with the competent authorities in each
country,
the Commission will define the detailed
priorities and objectives for the role of Tempus III in
the national strategy for economic and social reform,
on the basis of the programme’s objectives and the
provisions set out in the Annex, and in conformity in
particular with:

(a)

(i)

the
general
programme;

objectives

of

the

PHARE

(ii) the

general

the TACIS
programme, with particular reference to its
sectoral aspects;

objectives

of

(b)

the policy of each eligible country on economic,
social and educational reforms;

(c)

the need to strike an appropriate balance between
the priority areas
selected and the resources
allocated to Tempus III.

C 87/108

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29.3.1999

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Article 6

Committee

The Commission shall implement the Tempus III
(1)
programme in accordance with the provision set out in
the Annex, with the detailed guidelines to be adopted
every year as a function of the objectives and priorities
defined in Agreement with the competent authorities
in each eligible country, as described in Article 5.

The Commission shall be assisted in the
(2)
implementation of this task by an advisory committee
comprising a representative of each Member State and
chaired by the representative of the Commission.

The Commission representative shall submit to

(3)
the Committee drafts for measures relating to:

(a)

the general guidelines governing Tempus III;

(b)

selection

the
guidelines
contribution
beneficiaries);

for

procedures

and

the

the Community’s

(amounts,

duration

general
financial
and

(c) matters

concerning

general balance of
the
Tempus III, including the breakdown across the
various actions;

(d)

the detailed priorities and objectives to be defined
with the competent authorities in each eligible
county;

(e)

the arrangements for monitoring and evaluating
Tempus.

(4)
The Committee shall deliver its opinion on these
limit which the
draft measures within a time
Chairman may lay down according to the urgency of
the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes;
in
addition, each Member State shall have the right to
ask to have its position recorded in the minutes.

29.3.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 87/109

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(5)
The Commission shall take the utmost account
of the opinion delivered by the Committee. It shall
inform the Committee of the manner in which its
opinion has been taken into account.

Article 7

Cooperation with the competent institutions

The Commission shall

(1)
cooperate with the
institutions of each of the eligible countries designated
and set up to coordinate the relations and structures
needed to implement Tempus
including the
allocation of funds earmarked by the eligible countries
themselves.

III,

In

for

the

addition,

implementation

(2)
of
Tempus III, the Commission shall cooperate closely
with the competent national institutions designated by
the Member States. It shall take due account whenever
possible of bilateral measures taken in this context by
the Member States.

Article 8

Links with other Community actions

A r t i c l e 8

In line with the procedure set out in Article 6(3) of
this Decision and, if applicable, the procedure defined
in Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 and in
Article 8 of Regulation No 1279/96, the Commission
shall ensure consistency and, complementarity between
Tempus III and other Community actions undertaken
both in the Community and as part of assistance
provided to eligible countries, particularly with regard
to the activities of the European Training Foundation.

In line with the procedure set out in Article 6(3) of
this Decision and, if applicable, the procedure defined
in Article 9 of Regulation (EEC) No 3906/89 and in
Article 8 of Regulation No 1279/96, within the limits
established by the annual budgetary decisions,
the
Commission shall ensure consistency and, if necessary,
III and other
complementarity between Tempus
Community
the
in
both
undertaken
actions
Community and as part of assistance provided to
eligible countries, particularly with regard to the
activities of the European Training Foundation.

Article 9

Coordination with action taken in non-Community
countries

(1)
The Commission shall organise appropriate
coordination with actions undertaken by countries not

C 87/110

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29.3.1999

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

members of the Community (1) or by universities and
the business sector in this country in the same field as
Tempus III, including, where applicable, participation
in Tempus III projects.

This participation may take a variety of forms,

(2)
including one or more of the following:

— participation in Tempus

III projects on an

co-financing basis;

— using the opportunities available under Tempus III
to redirect exchange actions receiving bilateral
funding;

— coordination between Tempus III and national
initiatives which have the same aims but which
are funded and managed separately;

— mutual exchange of information on all relevant

initiatives in this field.

Article 10

Annual report

An annual report on the operation of Tempus III shall
be forwarded by the Commission to the European
Parliament,
the Economic and Social
Committee and the Committee of the Regions. This
report shall be forwarded to the eligible countries for
information.

the Council,

Article 11

Monitoring and evaluation — reports

In accordance with the procedure described in
to the
the Commission shall
Article 6(3),
regular monitoring and external
for
arrangements

see

(1) These countries are the members of the Group of 24,
other than the Member States of the Community, the
Republic of Cyprus and Malta, and the associated
countries
and
and
participation relates to projects with the non-associated
countries of Central and Eastern Europe eligible under
the PHARE programme.

of Central

Europe,

Eastern

29.3.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 87/111

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

III,
evaluation of experience gained with Tempus
in
the specific objectives
taking due account of
Article 4 and the national objectives defined in
accordance with Article 5.

It shall submit by 30 April 2004 an interim report on
the findings of
together with any
proposals for extending or adjusting Tempus for the
period commencing on 1 July 2006.

the evaluation,

The Commission shall submit a final report no later
than 30 June 2009.

ANNEX

Joint European projects

(1) The European Community will provide support

for

Joint European Projects.

The JEPs will associate at least one university in an
eligible country, one university from a Member State
and a partner establishment (university or company) in
another Member State.

(2)

for

JEPs

can be provided for activities
Support
according to the specific needs of the establishments
concerned and in line with the priorities established,
including:

(i)

joint teaching and training actions, particularly
with a view to creating new courses, developing
and restructuring existing teaching programmes,
boosting university capacity to provide continuing
and refreshing training, setting up short intensive
courses, and developing distance teaching systems;

(ii) measures

for

the reform and development of
higher education and its capacity, particularly by
restructuring the management of higher education
by modernising
establishments
existing
the
equipment needed to implement a JEP and, where
applicable, by providing technical and financial
assistance to the authorities responsible;

and
infrastructures,

systems,
by

acquiring

C 87/112

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29.3.1999

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

(iii)

(iv)

the promotion of
university
socio-economic
the
including industry, through joint actions;

cooperation between the
players,

and

development

the
teachers,
administrative staff at universities and students
under JEPs:

of mobility

for

will

provided

grants
for
be
teaching/administrative staff at universities or
in the Member
to trainers
States
teaching/training
to
assignments for periods lasting up to one
year in eligible countries and vice versa;

in companies

carry

out

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

(e)

will

provided

in companies

grants
for
be
teaching/administrative staff at universities or
in the Member
to trainers
teaching/training
States
to
assignments
lasting from one
week to one year in eligible countries and
vice versa;

carry
out
for periods

(a)

will

awarded

grants
to
be
teaching/administrative staff of universities in
the eligible countries to undertake periods of
retraining and updating in the European
Community;

eligible

in the
a period of
Community

grants will be available for students up to
and including post graduate level, targeting
countries
both students
in the
undertaking
European
European
Community students undertaking a period of
study in the eligible countries. These grants
will normally be granted for a period of three
months to one year;

study

and

for students taking part in JEPs with the
specific aim of promoting mobility, priority
will go to students taking part in projects for
which their university of origin will give full
academic recognition to the period of study
spent abroad;

support will be provided for practical or
in-company training periods of one month to
one year for teachers, trainers, students and
graduates of the eligible countries between
the end of their studies and their first job, so
that they can undertake a period of practical
training in companies in the Community and
vice versa;

(v)

activities to ensure the success of a JEP involving
two or more eligible countries.

29.3.1999

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 87/113

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Structural and/or complementary measures

complementary measures

Financial support will be provided for certain structural
technical
and/or
information
assistance,
activities)
the programme,
particularly the development and restructuring of higher
education systems in the eligible countries.

studies,
the objectives of

seminars,
to support

publications,

(particularly

Under the structural measures, financial aid will be granted
inter alia in order to:

— develop and strengthen the

strategic
and institutional development of higher

planning
education establishments at university or faculty level;

capacity for

— establish a plan to develop universities under structural

contracts to help them build up international relations;

— support

the spread of durable cooperation actions

targeting the Tempus objectives;

— prepare a national strategy in a given eligible country to

develop a specific aspect of higher education.

Individual grants

JEPs

and the

structural

the provision of

In addition to the
and/or
complementary measures, the European Community will also
support
to teachers,
trainers, university administrators, senior ministerial officials,
education planners and other experts in training from eligible
countries or from the Community, for visits to promote the
quality, development and restructuring of higher education
and training in the eligible countries.

individual grants

These visits could inter alia cover the following areas:

— the development of courses and teaching material;

— the development of staff, particularly through periods of

refresher training and in-company placements;

— teaching assignments;

— activities

to support

the development of higher

education.

C 87/114

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

29.3.1999

ORIGINAL PROPOSAL

AMENDED PROPOSAL

Support actions

(1) The Commission will receive the technical assistance
needed to underpin the action taken pursuant to this
decision and to monitor programme implementation.

(2)

Support will be provided for appropriate external
evaluation of Tempus III.