2004/223/EC: Council Decision of 26 February 2004 laying down the Rules of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training

Council Decision
of 26 February 2004
laying down the Rules of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training
(2004/223/EC)
THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community,
Having regard to Council Decision 63/266/EEC of 2 April 1963 laying down general principles for implementing a common vocational training policy(1), and in particular the last subparagraph of the fourth principle thereof,
Having regard to the opinion of the Commission,
Whereas:
(1) On the basis of Decision 63/266/EEC, the Council on 18 December 1963 adopted the Rules of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training (63/688/EEC)(2).
(2) Over the forty years since its creation, the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training provided the Commission with opinions on vocational training issues, including opinions on communications and other strategic documents, on specific undertakings such as the establishment of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training, and on the preparation, evaluation and optimisation of Community action programmes in the field of vocational training.
(3) The social, political and institutional changes which have taken place since the creation of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training and the new prospects opened up by the forthcoming accessions require a constructive re-examination of the composition of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training and its organisational framework. The Rules of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training (63/688/EEC) and Decision 68/189/EEC should therefore be repealed and replaced.
(4) The tripartite structure of the Advisory Committee on Vocational Training and its tasks should be substantially retained, but accompanied by the introduction of a number of changes to streamline its operation,