WRITTEN QUESTION E-1220/02 by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission. Management of the Erasmus and Socrates programmes.
Date: 2002-04-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, admission to examinations, educational exchange, recognition of studies, report

C 58 E/6

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

6.3.2004

The Commission recently launched a study which aims to provide an objective assessment of the security
of remote electronic payments (eg fund transfers, remote payment by card and mobile payments) in the
Internal Market, with a view to possibly enhance consumer confidence in e-commerce. The call for tender
for this study was published in January 2002. The tender procedure has been completed and the study will
be committed soon. Final results are expected by the end of 2002.

Also, based on the results of the study, the Commission will organise early in 2003 a Conference on the
security of payments in the Internal Market, with a view to improve information on the security of
modern payment products and systems in the Internal Market.

In addition to the Framework Decision of 28 May 2001 combating fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash
means of payment (2), action to increase Internet security has also been undertaken. On 19 April 2002 the
Commission proposed a Framework Decision on attacks against information systems (3). This Framework
Decision addresses the new most significant
forms of criminal activity against information systems,
including illegal access to information systems. The Framework Decision encourages and promotes
information security, while ensuring that Europe’s law enforcement authorities can take action against this
new form of crime.

The Cybercrime Forum has not discussed issues specifically related to credit card fraud, but held extensive
discussions on the problem of illegal access to information systems, which resulted in the proposal for the
Framework Decision mentioned above.

(1) Communication from the Commission ‘Preventing fraud and counterfeiting of non-cash means of payment’,

COM(2001) 11 final, of 9.2.2001.

(2) OJ L 149, 2.6.2001.
(3) COM(2002) 173 final.

(2004/C 58 E/006)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1220/02

by Daniela Raschhofer (NI) to the Commission

Subject: Management of the Erasmus and Socrates programmes

(29 April 2002)

Complaints about the management of the Erasmus/Socrates mobility programme have increased recently.
Particularly the local management of
the programmes gives rise to organisational problems, and
uncertainties over whether exams will be recognised are also common.

Are there detailed rules stipulating which exams can be taken abroad for each subject, and which exams
must be recognised by the home university?

Are decisions made in advance on which exams will be recognised? Who decides what is recognised, and
which criteria are used?

Which exams can for example be recognised when an Austrian law student participates in an Erasmus/
Socrates programme in Spain?

How does the European Union monitor the use of funding in this area, and is there a report on the
subject? If so, which criteria are monitored, and where is the report to be found?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(6 June 2002)

It is true that there have been recognition problems for students participating in Erasmus all the years that
Erasmus has existed, in spite of the fact that recognition of period of studies is a prerequisite for the
exchange. The European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) has helped a great deal but problems still remain.

6.3.2004

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 58 E/7

The Commission has recently proposed a new way to organise the contract with universities for
cooperation within Erasmus, from the Institutional Contract approach to the Erasmus University Charter.
In this context universities will be required to make sure that studies will be recognised and students will
be informed about their rights and obligations through an Erasmus Student Charter. These measures
together with a closer monitoring of the implementation of ECTS will improve the situation in the future.

There are no rules stipulating which exams can be taken abroad and must be recognised by the home
university.

Within ECTS there is a Learning Agreement to be agreed between the sending and receiving universities
and the student. This Learning Agreement contains the courses to be followed by the student at the host
institution which will be recognised by the host institution after the student’s return.

It is a matter for the sending and receiving universities to decide which exams can be recognised for an
Austrian student going to Spain.

The monitoring is done through ECTS. The reports will be collected and made available in the future.

(2004/C 58 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION P-1320/02

by Roberta Angelilli (UEN) to the Commission

Subject: Funds for the building of monumental church organs

(29 April 2002)

Many European cities comprise a wealth of religious buildings of major historical significance in religious,
cultural and artistic terms, containing various forms of figurative art carried out by master-craftsmen,
including church organs. The European Union has a special interest in protecting the cultural heritage
handed down by craft traditions. There is a project to build,
in the recently restored church of San
Domenico in Rieti, a ‘Dom Bedos de Celles (cid:1) Formentelli’ organ, detailed plans for which were drawn up
in 1780 but which was never built.

The Commission:

(cid:1) will it state whether there are any programmes relating to artistic craftsmanship and especially to the

building of church organs;

(cid:1) are there any pilot projects which might apply to this type of funding;

(cid:1) what is it’s view on the matter?

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(4 June 2002)

The Commission supports initiatives for cooperation in the cultural sector,
including the protection,
preservation and enhancement of the cultural heritage as part of, and in accordance with the selection
criteria for, the ‘Culture 2000’ programme, which is the only financing and programming instrument for
cultural cooperation in the EU. There is no Community programme specifically concerned with artistic
craftsmanship in general or the building of organs in particular, since funding in the cultural heritage field
is provided only under the ‘Culture 2000’ programme.

The Honourable Member can find further information on this programme at the following Internet site:
(http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/index_fr.html).

In 2004, the ‘Culture 2000’ programme will be giving prominence to the cultural heritage. This sector
comprises movable heritage, intangible heritage, historical archives and libraries, archaeology, underwater
heritage, cultural sites and landscapes, apart from the cultural heritage of the modern era.