Opinion of the Commission pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty, on the European Parliament's amendments to the Council's common position regarding the proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council adopting a multiannual programme (2004-2006) for the effective integration of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education and training systems in Europe (eLearning Programme) amending the proposal of the Commission pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty
Date: 2003-11-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU Member State, EU programme, educational system, information technology, new technology

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES

Brussels, 11.11.2003
COM(2003) 699 final

2002/0303 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty,
on the European Parliament's amendments
to the Council's common position regarding the
proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

adopting a multiannual programme (2004-2006) for the effective integration of
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education and training systems
in Europe (eLearning Programme)

AMENDING THE PROPOSAL OF THE COMMISSION
pursuant to Article 250 (2) of the EC Treaty

2002/0303 (COD)

OPINION OF THE COMMISSION

pursuant to Article 251 (2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty,
on the European Parliament's amendments
to the Council's common position regarding the
proposal for a

DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL

adopting a multiannual programme (2004-2006) for the effective integration of
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) in education and training systems
in Europe (eLearning Programme)

1.

INTRODUCTION

Article 251(2), third subparagraph, point (c) of the EC Treaty provides that the Commission is
to  deliver  an  opinion  on  the  amendments  proposed  by  the  European  Parliament  at  second
reading.  The  Commission  sets  out  its  opinion  below  on  the  sole  amendment  proposed  by
Parliament.

2.

a)

b)

c)

d)

e)

f)

g)

BACKGROUND

Transmission 
(COM(2002) 751 final -
2002/0303 (COD))  to  the  European  Parliament  and  to  the  Council:  19  December
2002

Commission 

proposal 

the 

of 

Opinion of the European Economic and Social Committee: 26 March 2003.

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions: 10 April 2003.

Opinion of the European Parliament (first reading): 8 April 2003.

Adoption  of 
final -
2002/0303 (COD)) pursuant to article 250, paragraph 2 of the Treaty: 29 April 2003.

the  Commission  amended  proposal 

(COM(2003) 245 

Adoption of the Council common position: 16 June 2003.

Adoption of the Parliament’s amendments in second reading: 21 October 2003.

2

3.

PURPOSE OF THE PROPOSAL

Based  on  Article  149  and  150,  the  proposal  aims  at  a  sustained  effort  for  the  effective
integration  of  ICT  (Information  and  Communication  Technologies)  in  European  education
and training systems. The adaptation and modernisation of these systems is a key message of
the  Lisbon  Council,  and  ICT  are  seen  as  a  lever  for  their  change  and  enhancement.  The
proposal  builds  on  the  good  results  of  the  eLearning  Initiative  and  eLearning  Action  Plan,
adopted by the Commission in 2000 and 2001, respectively.

The proposal should also  be  seen in  the  context  of the  eEurope  Action  Plans.  Further  to  its
role in eEurope 2002, developing and extending its educational actions, eLearning  has been
confirmed  as  one  of  the  three  priorities  for  eEurope  2005.  The  proposal  has  been  well
received by the European Parliament, who has proposed a special budget for preparatory and
exploratory  measures  on  these  issues  since  2001,  and  by  the  Council,  who  adopted  an
eLearning Resolution in July 2001.

4.

OPINION  OF  THE  COMMISSION  ON  THE  AMENDMENTS  BY  THE  EUROPEAN
PARLIAMENT

Total number of amendments: 1

Amendments accepted in full: 1

Amendment accepted by the Commission

The  Commission  accepts  amendment  1  to  Article  8,  paragraph  1,  setting  the  financial
framework for the implementation of the programme for the period specified in Article 1 at
EUR 44 million.

5.

CONCLUSION

Pursuant to Article 250(2) of the EC Treaty, the Commission amends its proposal as set out
above.

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