Decision No 69/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 December 1999 amending the basic Decision relating to the third phase of the 'Youth for Europe' programme so as to include Turkey among the beneficiary countries

DECISION No 69/2000/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL
of 13 December 1999
amending the basic Decision relating to the third phase of the "Youth for Europe" programme so as to include Turkey among the beneficiary countries
THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
,
Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 149 thereof,
Having regard to the proposal from the Commission(1),
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee(2),
Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions(3),
Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty(4),
Whereas:
(1) Decision No 818/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 1995 adopts the third phase of the "Youth for Europe" programme(5), in which Turkey does not participate;
(2) Turkey is an associated country whose links with the Community have been substantially bolstered with the entry into force of the final phase of the Customs Union;
(3) the economic and trade links instituted by the Customs Union should be strengthened by closer cooperation in the field of education, training and youth;
(4) a considerable amount of time needs to be allowed, on the one hand, between the amendment of the Decision establishing the said programme, which is the subject of this Decision, enabling it to be opened up to Turkey and the end of the negotiations on the arrangements (particularly financial arrangements) for Turkey's participation and, on the other, between the end of those negotiations and its actual participation;
(5) the principle of such an opening-up, however, apart from giving a tangible sign of the European Union's oft-repeated willingness to develop sectoral cooperation with Turkey, makes it possible to undertake preparatory measures and measures to increase awareness, with a view to full participation in the said programme or in the future framework programme which is currently being drawn up,