Report from the Commission - Annual Report from the European Commission to the European Parliament on the functioning of the European School System 2005 {SEC(2006) 1070}
Date: 2006-08-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European school, activity report, educational institution, financial management, financing, operation of the Institutions, organisation of teaching

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 11.08.2006 
COM(2006) 451 final 

REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION 

Annual Report from the European Commission to the European Parliament on the 
functioning of the European School System 2005 

{SEC(2006) 1070} 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

This report to the European Parliament highlights the main issues and challenges for 
the European School System during 2005. The 13 schools are now accommodating 
close  to  20 400  students.  The  year  2005  saw  the  European  Commission  launch 
several initiatives and make a particular effort in certain areas in order to make 2006 
a year of reform and response to major challenges. The future reform of the financial 
regulation is one example.  

Furthermore,  many  schools  are  experiencing  overcrowding  with  all  the  related 
problems, while others are in contrast facing a reduction in the number of sections. 
At the two biggest sites, Brussels and Luxembourg, plans for additional capacity in 
the form of new schools were discussed at length in 2005 in order to prepare for the 
decisions to be taken in 2006. 

In 2004, the European Commission launched a Communication concerning the future 
development of the system as a whole1 and received feedback during 2005 from all 
stakeholders. Furthermore, a staff survey was launched on the same topic.  

Following  the  feedback  received  from  a  wide  range  of  stakeholders,  it  is  clear  that 
reform  is  necessary  and  should  bring  about  welcome  modernisation  of  the 
pedagogical, financial  and governance aspects of the system. Many practical issues 
also need to be dealt with, most importantly the responsibility of the host country to 
provide adequate facilities to ensure the necessary capacity in a timely fashion. This 
particular  problem  became  quite  pressing  at  several  European  School  sites  during 
2005.  

The overall question of the future of the European School System in its entirety will 
continue  to  be  debated  between  Member  States  and  the  Commission.  To  this  end, 
Vice  President  Kallas  and  the  Dutch  Presidency  of  the  European  Schools  set  up  a 
High Level Group in 2005 to prepare an intergovernmental conference on this topic 
in May 2006. 

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COM(2004) 519 final. 

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2. 

IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS IN 2005 

2.1. 

Overview of the current situation 

2005  showed  a  varying  picture  at  the  different  European  school  sites.  The  Annual 
Report of the Secretary-General to the Board of Governors of the European Schools 
is annexed and contains relevant statistical information.2 

2.1.1.  Overcrowding in Brussels  

The rise in the number of pupils at the three existing schools in Brussels (located in 
Uccle, Woluwe and Ixelles) led to overcrowding in 2005. This in turn led to a stricter 
enrolment  policy  in  Brussels  for  all  children  of  non-EU  staff.  For  certain  language 
sections  at  two  of  the  schools,  restrictions  were  also  necessary  for  children  of  EU 
staff, to the inconvenience and disappointment of many concerned parents and pupils 
who  could  not  always  enrol  at  the  school  of  their  choice.  The  Belgian  authorities 
have the responsibility to propose a temporary site as a solution to the overcrowding, 
as, according to their timetable, the fourth school in Laeken will not be opened until 
2009.  

The Commission has been very active in trying to have the temporary site proposed 
as soon as possible, and well ahead of the opening of Brussels IV in Laeken in 2009. 
Both  President  Barroso  and  Vice-President  Kallas  have  been  in  contact  with  the 
Belgian authorities in order to assure that a selection of temporary sites are offered 
early  in  2006,  in  order  to  have  the  site  operational  preferably  by  the  school  year 
2006/2007 and in any case for September 2007. The delays in receiving proposals for 
a temporary site are a serious concern for the Commission and the parents. 

2.1.2.  Delays in the building works in Luxembourg and privatisation of the canteen 

The  increase  in  the  number  of  pupils  in  Luxembourg  has  led  to  a  restrictive 
enrolment policy in Luxembourg for the children of non-EU staff. The new school, 
which  is  currently  open  on  a  provisional  site,  can  only  welcome  pupils  in  the 
following nursery and primary linguistic sections: EN, FR, DE, HU, CZ, SL, SK, DK, 
GR, IT. The secondary cycle pupils in these sections will stay in Luxembourg I until 
the definitive opening of Luxembourg II.  

During 2005, the land was acquired for the new school. The Luxembourg authorities 
have announced that further delays can be expected, making it likely that the school 
cannot  open  as  originally  planned  in  2008  but  rather  in  2010.  The  Commission's 
representative  on  the  Administrative  Board  voiced  deep  concerns  and  urge  the 
Luxembourg authorities to speed up the provision of the new building. 

Though a decision was taken by the Board of Governors in January 2003 (with the 
parents’  association's  approval)  to  distribute  pupils  between  Luxembourg  I  and 
Luxembourg II according to language sections, parent representatives underlined in 
2005  that  they  prefer  a  division  by  age  group  rather  than  by  linguistic  section  and 

2 

Ref.:1512-D-2005-en-1. Annex 1. 

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consequently that the secondary cycle should be in Luxembourg II. The follow-up on 
this issue will need to be carefully monitored in 2006. 

In  2005,  the  financial,  legal  and  practical  difficulties  in  running  the  canteen  in 
Luxembourg were acute following the decision in 2004 by the Board of Governors to 
withdraw an undue budget contribution to the canteen. The situation was resolved by 
the Administrative Board, which decided to reemploy the staff of the canteen in other 
posts  in  the  European  School  itself,  and  to  launch  a  European  call  for  tender  to 
outsource  the  canteen  and  cafeteria  service  from  the  start  of  the  2006/2007  school 
year in order to maintain the best possible conditions and service for pupils. 

2.1.3.  Other schools  

The schools in Bergen, Mol, Karlsruhe and Varese provide schooling for the children 
of staff working at the institutes of the Joint Research Centre, which is a Directorate 
General of the Commission.  

Varese  

In Varese, the problem of overcrowding is significant due to the lack of classrooms. 
Pressure has been put on the Italian authorities to find an appropriate solution to the 
difficulties  in  undertaking  the  necessary  extension  works.  The  Italian  Government, 
like all host countries, has to provide suitable premises in line with the needs of the 
European School. The Commission supports the Board of Governors' demand for the 
Italian authorities to fulfil their commitments.  

There  is  a  legal  issue  concerning  the  staff  of  the  school  canteen  in  Varese.  The 
school management has undertaken to regularise this issue, which will be reviewed 
by the Administrative Board during 2006.  

Frankfurt and Munich: 

The  two  German  schools  also  suffer  from  overcrowding  and  modifications  are 
underway  to  improve  the  situation  as  much  as  possible  on  the  current  premises. 
However,  a  new  site  will  probably  be  needed  for  the  school  in  Frankfurt  in  the 
coming years, given the increase in staff planned by the European Central Bank. A 
request has been made to the German authorities to this end.  

Bergen, Culham, Mol and Karlsruhe: 

In 2004, the Board of Governors confirmed its decision on the gradual closure of 7 
very small language sections (with a total of only 17 children of EU staff) in Bergen, 
Culham, Mol and Karlsruhe. This process started in September 2005 and will last for 
7  years.  It  ensures  that  the  children  in  question  can  finish  either  the  primary  or 
secondary cycle of their studies in their current school. The Commission launched an 
external study in 2005 to examine the long-term future of these schools. The results 
of  the  study  are  expected  in  July  2006  and  will  be  presented  at  a  meeting  of  the 
Board of Governors.  

Alicante 

The European School in Alicante has been in existence since 2002, and the 2005/06 
school  year  will  be  the  first  to  see  a  class  graduating  with  the  European 

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Baccalaureate.  The  majority  of  pupils  in  Alicante  are  children  of  non-EU  staff 
(63.6%). This is worth noting since the so-called Gaignage criteria3 state that at least 
50% of the pupils in a European School outside Brussels and Luxembourg should be 
children  of  EU  staff.  An  increase  in  the  latter  was  recorded  for  2005,  but  the 
proportion is still well short of 50%. 

2.2. 

Pedagogical issues 

With  the  creation  of  several  new  Agencies  in  the  Member  States,  the  question  of 
educational  provision  for  the  children  of  EU  staff  at  these  locations  is  becoming 
more and more acute. There are often a relatively small number of staff working at 
these locations, which in some cases are also fairly remote. The prospects of setting 
up classical European Schools there are thus unlikely due to the  limited number of 
EU staff children.  

A working group, called "Troika II - Expansion of European Baccalaureate", was set 
up  by  the  Board  of  Governors  to  look  into  these  issues.  Among  other  things,  its 
mandate  was  to  examine  the  scope  for  cooperation  between  European  Schools  and 
other schools and to reflect on how to make the European Baccalaureate more widely 
available  by  opening  it  up  to  schools  outside  the  existing  system.  Furthermore,  it 
examined  the  pedagogical  structure  of  the  Schools  with  a  possible  view  to  greater 
autonomy and established criteria for defining "European schooling".  

In  April  2005,  the  Board  approved  their  report,  which  outlined  the  main 
characteristics of education in European Schools and identified the essential criteria. 
The report proposed cooperation with local schools to provide the essential features 
of the education given in European Schools as well as a timetable for obtaining the 
agreement of the interested countries.  

Italy,  Ireland  and  Greece,  all  with  a  European  Agency  on  their  territory,  have 
expressed  their  interest  in  this  arrangement:  The  Italian  authorities  have  set  up  a 
school in Parma in order to accommodate the children of staff at the European Food 
Safety Agency, with a wide range of programmes in 3 language sections. In 2005, it 
opened  secondary  years  1  to  3.  The  Irish  have  made  special  provision  in 
Dunshaughlin for the children of the Veterinary Agency in Grange. Italy and Ireland 
have  applied  for  accreditation  of  the  European  schooling  they  provide  in  their 
respective pilot projects.  

At  the  beginning  of  2006,  the  Board  accepted  the  dossiers  submitted  by  the  Italian 
and  Irish  authorities  to  demonstrate  conformity  with  the  European  School 
specifications  for  Scuola  per  l’Europa  in  Parma  and  the  Centre  for  European 
Schooling at Dunshaughlin, respectively, as the second step in their accreditation as 
associated  schools  of  the  European  School  System.  The  Board  also  accepted  the 
general-interest dossier presented by the Greek authorities in 2005 as a first step in 
applying for accreditation of the Heraklion School for European Education, set up to 
accommodate  children  of  the  staff  of  the  European  Network  and  Information 
Security Agency.  

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Ref # 2000-D-7510. Annex 2. 

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2.3. 

Budget and finances 

The budget of the European Schools is made up of contributions from the Member 
States (which pay the national salaries of their seconded teachers), the income from 
fees paid for the children of non-EU staff and a balancing contribution from the EU 
budget.  

2.3.1. 

2005 Budget 

The  contribution  initially  allocated  to  the  European  Schools  by  the  EU  Budgetary 
Authority in 2005 was €127 million, the same as in 2004. The final breakdown of the 
various contributions to the total budget was: 

•  53% from the EU budget;  

•  23% from the Member States; 
•  7% from the EPO4; 

•  Remainder from other sources. 

The  European  Schools  did  not  take  up  €10.6  million  of  the  total  contribution 
allocated  in  2005,  but  nevertheless  closed  their  annual  budget  with  a  surplus  of 
approximately €8.3 million. 

2.3.2.  Decisions on the 2006 Budget 

For 2006, the Commission and the Office of the Secretary General (OSG) decided to 
make a detailed analysis of the reasons for the recurrent under-spending and surplus 
of  recent  years.  This  led  the  Commission  to  request  a  contribution  for  2006  at  the 
same level as in 2005: €127.13 million. 

In  December  2005,  the  Budgetary  Authority  decided  to  freeze  25%  of  the  EU 
contribution for 2006 to the Office of the Secretary General (OSG), which receives 
80% of its funding from the EU budget, to encourage the OSG: 

•  to find solutions to the problem of overcrowding in the European Schools; 

•  to improve the governance and management of the European Schools.  

The Commission communicated this decision to the Secretary General and proposed 
that  its  services  could  help  the  OSG  take  the  measures  requested  and  organise 
contacts with the European Parliament.  

2.3.3.  New Financial Regulation for the European Schools 

The Commission and the Budgetary Authority both consider reform in this area to be 
absolutely  essential.  Following  the  recommendations  in  the  report  of  the  Troika 
Working  Group  I  "Financial  Burden-Sharing  and  Co-Financing",  the  Board  of 
Governors  approved  the  modernisation  of  the  European  Schools'  Financial 

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For the European School in Munich, the European Patent Office (EPO) share of the budget is similar to 
that of the Commission’s in the other European Schools. 

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Regulation  in  April  2005.  This  will  also  allow  the  recommendations  on  financial 
autonomy to be implemented. The approach taken is to bring the existing rules into 
line  with  the  new  Financial  Regulation  applicable  to  the  general  budget  of  the 
European Communities from 2002. The main points are: 

•  Principle of sound financial management; 

•  Internal audit 

•  Standards of internal control; 

•  Procurement 

•  Annual Report 

•  ES budgetary calendar 

The  OSG,  helped  by  the  Commission,  has  launched  the  process  and  intends  to 
propose  a  new  Financial  Regulation  for  the  European  Schools  to  the  Board  of 
Governors in October 2006; with a view to it entering into force on 1 January 2007. 

2.3.4.  Audit of the OSG 

In November 2005, the Commission sent a letter to the OSG proposing that one of 
the Commission’s internal audit services should carry out an audit of the OSG. The 
OSG considered that it could not take such a decision. The question was not debated 
in  the  Board  of  Governors  due  to  time  constraints,  as  it  was  put  at  the  end  of  the 
agenda  and  all  the  arguments  were  therefore  not  fully  considered.  The  Board 
responded to the proposal by written procedure and rejected it in February 2006. 

2.4. 

Governance 

2.4.1.  Follow-up to the Communication of July 2004 

In 2004, the Commission presented the Communication "Consultation on options for 
developing  the  European  School  System".  The  consultation  was  ongoing  during 
2005  and  yielded  interesting  and  stimulating  results.  Among  the  respondents  were 
the  European 
parents’  association  representatives,  some 
Institutions  and  their  representatives,  pupils’  representatives,  representatives  from 
Member  States,  the  members  of  the  Board  of  Governors  and  representatives  of 
school employees. 

individual  staff  of 

In  order  to  complete  the  consultation  process,  a  survey  containing  the  key  ideas  in 
the  Communication  was  sent  during  September  2005  directly  to  the  staff  of  the 
European institutions and received about 4000 answers.  

The preliminary results of the consultation show there is a general consensus on the 
need for reform. The proposal to carry out an external evaluation of the functioning 
of  the  whole  European  School  System  was  overwhelmingly  endorsed.  The  general 
view  was  also  that  the  governance  of  the  European  Schools  could  be  made  more 
efficient.  The  staff  of  the  Institutions  who  replied  to  the  staff  survey  greatly 
supported the proposal that the Commission should have decision-making power in 
proportion  to  its  budgetary  contribution.  Increased  autonomy  for  the  schools 
combined  with  greater  accountability  was  also  supported  by  most  stakeholders. 

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There  was  strong  support  for  improvement  in  the  provision  for  pupils  with  special 
educational  needs  and  for  pupils  who  do  not  have  access  to  a  language  section  for 
their  mother  tongue.  Most  stakeholders  also  agreed  that  budget  preparation  and 
execution should be improved and made more transparent. 

An in-depth analysis of the results of the consultation and the extensive survey will 
be finalised and made public during 2006. 

2.4.2.  Resolution from the European Parliament 

The European Parliament discussed the Communication in its Budget Committee and 
the Committee on Culture and Education, and in September 2005 adopted Resolution 
the  Commission’s 
P6TA(2005)336,  which  echoes  on  all  essential 
Communication.  On  governance; 
the  Commission 
commensurate  with  its  financial  contribution,  better  management  of  resources,  a 
solution  for  the  Agencies  in  terms  of  education  provision  for  the  children  of  their 
staff, examination of alternative systems of financing, and on a pedagogical level; the 
expansion of  the  European  Baccalaureate and cooperation of the European Schools 
with other schools, improved pedagogical provision for SEN5 children, reduction in 
class sizes and introduction of an alternative leaving certificate.  

increased  control 

issues 
for 

In  direct  response,  the  Commission  has  taken  initiatives  on  the  issues  mentioned 
above  resulting  in  the  planned  reform  of  the  Financial  Regulation  for  example. 
Several aspects can, however, only be addressed in the wider debate of the future of 
the  system.  The  Commission  has  in  the  context  of  the  High  Level  Group  (see  3.3) 
been  very  active  in  promoting  change  in  line  with  the  common  views  of  the 
Institutions. Simultaneously, several working groups under the Board are working on 
options for the pedagogical issues. 

2.4.3.  Preparation of a conference on the future of the European School System  

The  governance  aspects  of  the  system  are  of  major  concern  and  the  Commission's 
communication on the future of the European School System was the starting point 
of a wide debate. In its Resolution of 8 September 2005, for example, the European 
Parliament stressed the urgent need to act. This view is shared by many observers at 
both political and non-political level. 

Accordingly,  Vice-President  Kallas  and  the  Dutch  Presidency6  of  the  European 
Schools took the initiative to call for a conference, prepared by a High Level Group, 
to be held in 2006 in the Netherlands with representatives from all Member States in 
order  to  give  new  political  impetus  in  this  area.  The  Commission  has  taken  a  very 
active role in the work of the High Level Group.  

The purpose of this conference is to stimulate a high-level process of reflection and 
to prepare the ground for the discussion of reforms at ministerial level.  

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"Special Educational Needs". The Commission has no mandate to manage the pedagogical SEN aspects 
but is actively following the development in the European Schools. In 2005 the overall SEN budget for 
the European Schools increased by 13%. 
From 08-2005 to 08-2006. 

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All Member States have been invited to send representatives to the Conference to put 
forward  the  views  of  their  government  in  the  relevant  areas,  namely  governance, 
financial and pedagogical aspects. See also section 3.3. 

2.4.4.  Groupe de Suivi Bruxelles IV- Brussels IV in Laeken 

According  to  the  timetable  provided  by  the  Belgian  authorities,  a  fourth  European 
School  will  be  opened  in  Brussels  in  2009.  The  facilities  will  be  provided  by  the 
Belgian  state  at  Laeken.  Two  major  decisions  needed  to  be  prepared:  which 
languages sections will be present in this 4th school and how to prepare the phasing in 
of the school and of the various sections. 

To  define  and  analyse  the  various  options  for  these  decisions,  to  be  taken  by  the 
Board of Governors of the European Schools in April 2006, the Secretary General of 
the  European  Schools  provided  the  necessary  input  and  chaired  a  working  group 
called “Groupe de Suivi Bruxelles IV”. This group consisted of all interested parties: 
the parents’ associations, the European Schools, the teachers and the Commission.  

The Commission was an active member of this group and in particular helped refine 
estimates  of  the  future  number  of  pupils.  These  estimates,  based  on  the  planned 
recruitment of staff by the Commission and the current number of pupils of EU staff, 
were combined with the projections by the directors of the schools and agreed by the 
working group. 

The guidelines for this working group were laid down by the Board at its meeting in 
October 2005, when it adopted a list of criteria taking into account requests made by 
the representatives of the parents’ associations. These criteria provided the basis for 
deciding both the linguistic composition of the Laeken School and the way in which 
these  sections  were  to  be  put  in  place.  The  list  of  criteria7  was  adopted  almost 
unanimously  by  the  Board,  including  the  parents’  representative,  but  with  two 
abstentions (Italy and Spain). The Commission voted in favour. 

This  “Groupe  de  Suivi  Bruxelles  IV”  then  prepared  the  ground  for  the  debate  and 
decision on the set-up in Laeken. The Commission has played a crucial role in this 
group and is devoting great attention to the analysis and presentation of the facts to 
the  Board,  which  will  decide  on  the  phasing  in  of  the  school  and  the  various 
language  sections.  This  decision  has  to  be  adopted  by  a  two-thirds  majority,  with 
each Member State and the Commission having one vote.  

2.4.5.  Communication with interest groups and information 

The more restricted enrolment policy in Brussels for the 2005/2006 school year was 
the cause of much frustration during the summer of 2005, and the Director-General 
of  DG  ADMIN  took  the  strategic  decision  to  communicate  directly  to  all  staff 
through “message to all” e-mails. This was considered necessary in order to increase 
transparency,  but  also  to  put  an  end  to  the  misinformation  spreading  unease  and 
unnecessary  distress  among  parents  and  pupils.  These  messages  were  sent  in  June 
2005 and December 2005 to all Commission staff8. This approach has continued in 

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Ref.: 2005-D-4310-en-2. Annex 3. 
Annex 4.  

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2006  to  make  sure  that  staff  have  accurate  and  timely  information.  Vice-President 
Kallas has also taken an active role in communicating with the other Commissioners 
and keeping them informed of developments.  

The relevant services in the Commission have made a considerable effort to reply to 
all  individual  requests  for  information  by  phone  or  mail  from  parents  or  other 
interested parties. In total, more than 300 written replies were sent during 2005. This 
has allowed the Commission to maintain direct contact with many concerned parents. 
Furthermore,  the  parents  who  share  common  concerns  about  specific  topics  have 
often  created  ad  hoc  groups  to  coordinate  their  contacts  with  the  Commission. 
Several meetings with the parents' associations, the Local Staff Committees and the 
Unions have also taken place. 

The  European  Parliament  submitted  30  formal  questions  concerning  the  European 
Schools  to  the  Commission  during  2005,  all  of  which  were  answered  orally  or  in 
writing.  Four  complaints  were  received  and  treated  by  the  Ombudsman.  Vice-
President Kallas also went to the European Parliament to personally discuss matters 
relating to the European Schools with MEPs. 

2.5. 

Transparency 

2.5.1.  Code of Good Administrative Behaviour 

In  2004,  the  Commission  presented  the  document  ‘Proposed  Actions  for  Greater 
Transparency and Good Administration in the European School System’ to the Board 
of  Governors  which  was  adopted  in  April  2006.  The  aim  of  such  a  Code  is  to 
guarantee  high-quality  service  in  all  circumstances  for  all  users  of  the  European 
School  System.  The  Commission  strongly  supports  this  process,  which  will,  once 
implemented,  harmonise  the  approach  and  service  provided  by  all  the  European 
Schools  and  increase  and  promote  transparency.  It  also  welcomes  the  work  of  the 
Secretary  General  during  2005  to  consolidate  the  general  rules  of  the  European 
Schools as a step towards increased transparency. 

3. 

LOOKING AHEAD 

3.1. 

Decision on Brussels IV in Laeken 

Following  intense  debate  during  2005  on  the  linguistic  set-up  of  the  school  in 
Laeken, the Board of Governors decided in April 2006 on the following composition: 
DE,  EN,  FR,  IT,  NL,  plus  BG  and  RO  (if  and  when  created).  Once  the  temporary 
school  site  is  available,  considerable  efforts  will  have  to  be  made  to  prepare  the 
transition and welcome the pupils to this new site. The Commission's major concern 
is whether the Belgian Authorities will provide the temporary site in due time to ease 
the current overcrowding. 

It  is  recognised  that  plans  for  a  future  fifth  European  School  in  Brussels  are 
necessary since estimates of pupil numbers show that maximum overall capacity will 
again be reached soon after Laeken is opened.  

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3.2. 

Studies launched 

3.2.1. 

Study on four small schools9 

In 2005, the Commission launched an external study to examine the long-term future 
of  four  small  schools.  More  specifically,  the  study  was  to  look  into  alternative 
methods for educating the children of EU staff and transitional measures for all the 
current pupils. The results of this study are expected summer 2006. It will serve as a 
basis  for  discussion  in  the  Board,  which  will  then  take  a  decision  on  the  future  of 
these schools.  

3.2.2. 

Study on school fees 

Following  the  outcome  of  the  working  group  created  to  examine  the  possible 
redistribution  of  the  financial  burden  between  Member  States,  the  Board  of 
Governors asked an  external  economist to carry out a study of the optimal level of 
fees for pupils under special corporate agreements and children of non-EU staff. This 
study will be discussed by the Administrative and Financial Committee in 2006.  

3.3. 

Future of the European School System 

The high-level conference held in May 2006 at the initiative of Vice-President Kallas 
and the Dutch Presidency of the European Schools brought together representatives 
of  the  Member  States  and  the  Commission  to  discuss  the  future  of  the  European 
School  System.  It  yielded  particularly  useful  results  concerning  the  pedagogical 
aspects of  the  system  and  its future, with ideas  for  the schooling of  the children of 
staff employed by the small agencies across the Union, and concerning the opening 
of the European Baccalaureate to schools without links to a European Institution but 
which meet certain strict criteria. 

The conference also recognised the need for reform of the system and in particular 
the  administrative  and  financial  aspects.  In  contrast,  the  debates  on  the  governance 
aspects and possible changes to the Convention were more mixed. 

Discussions on all these aspects will continue in 2006. 

Following  this  conference,  the  Commission  is  ready  to  move  ahead  and  play  a 
constructive part in the modernisation of the system to face up to the challenges of 
enlargement,  and  the  increasing  number  of  agencies  across  the  European  Union 
while taking into consideration needs of staff.  

9 

Culham, Mol, Bergen and Karlsruhe. 

EN 

11 

   EN