52000AR0170

Opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the "Proposal for a Council Decision modifying Decision 1999/311/EC of 29 April 1999 adopting the third phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education (Tempus III)"

(2000/C 317/09)

THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS,

having regard to the proposal for a Council Decision modifying Decision 1999/311/EC of 29 April 1999 adopting the third phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education (Tempus III) (2000-2006) (COM(2000) 184 final - 2000/0074 (CNS));

having regard to the Council decision of 5 May 2000 to consult it on this subject, in accordance with the first paragraph of Article 265 of the Treaty establishing the European Community;

having regard to the decision of its president of 12 May 2000 appointing Mrs Morsblech 9D/ELDR as rapporteur-general, in accordance with Rule 40(2) of its Rules of Procedure;

having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions on the proposal for a Council decision adopting the third phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education (Tempus III) (2000-2006) (COM(1998) 454 final) (CdR 301/98 fin)(1),

unanimously adopted the following opinion at its 34th plenary session of 14 and 15 June 2000 (meeting of 14 June).

The Committee of the Regions

1. reaffirms its view that the Tempus higher education programme is to be seen as a reflection of the European Union's political commitment to cooperation and dialogue with the countries of central and eastern Europe and that within the framework of that cooperation priority is to be given to education and training and to human resource development, which are also excellent topics for regional cooperation;

2. appreciates and expressly acknowledges the moves towards democracy in the Republic of Croatia, as reflected in particular in the parliamentary and presidential elections at the beginning of 2000, and sees this as a development which successfully brings Croatia closer to the EU;

3. welcomes the fact that the Council of Ministers also acknowledges developments in Croatia and has called for closer cooperation between the EU and Croatia and, above all, for the admission of Croatia to the Tempus programme;

4. thinks that because democratic structures in Croatia have been consolidated, conditions are now in place for Croatia to participate in the Tempus programme;

5. regards the development of systems of higher education, the development and overhaul of curricula and the development of vocational training as important areas where the EU, with the aid of the Tempus programme, can provide an important impetus in support of Croatia's development;

6. therefore expressly supports the proposal for a Council Decision modifying the list of countries eligible for support under the Tempus programme;

7. sees no reason at present, however, to extend Tempus beyond Croatia to other non-associated countries in the region.

Brussels, 14 June 2000.

The President

Of the Committee of the Regions

Jos Chabert

(1) OJ C51, 22.2.1999, p. 86.