Proposal for a decision of the Council amending the basic Decision relating to the Leonardo programme to include Turkey among the beneficiary countries
COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES Brussels, 13. 05. 1996 COM(96) 199 final %/OI3()(COD) %/()13l (COD) 96/0132 (SYN) Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending the basic Decision relating to the Socrates programme to include Turkey among the beneficiary countries Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council amending the basic Decision relating to the third phase of the Youth for Europe programme to include Turkey among the beneficiary countries Proposal for a decision of the Council amending the basic Decision relating to the Leonardo programme to include Turkey among the beneficiary countries (presented by the Commission) Explanatory memorandum The Council Decision of 6 December 1994 establishing the Leonardo programme and the Parliament and Council Decisions of 14 March 1995 setting up the Socrates programme and the Youth for Europe programme (third phase) pave the way for opening up these programmes to the associated countries but make no mention of the Republic of Turkey. At the Association Council meeting held in Luxembourg on 30 October 1995, Turkey asked to be allowed to participate in European programmes open to other associated countries, notably the Leonardo, Socrates, and Youth for Europe programmes in the field of education, training and youth. In response, the Council said it would continue looking at Turkey's requests in a constructive spirit and would let it know the outcome of its examination as soon as possible. The Commission considers that against the background of the final phase of the EC- Turkey customs union which entered into force on 31 December 1995, Turkey's participation in these programmes is in the Community's interest. Turkey's participation will enable beneficiaries in the Community, in particular students, university staff and young people, to establish closer links with their opposite numbers in Turkey in the fields in these of education, programmes will help strengthen democracy and respect for human rights in that country. training and youth. Furthermore, Turkey's participation Turkey's financial contribution would be made in the same way as for the other associated countries, i. e. either through a direct contribution from Turkey or by using funds earmarked for financial cooperation with Turkey (or a combination of the two). In the latter case, the Commission will in due course propose that the budgetary authority create a new budget item, with a legal basis, financed from the said funds for financial cooperation. financial assistance programme (ECU 375 million) linked to the entry into force of the agreement on customs union and Turkey's share in the context of the MEDA programme. The size of the budget item will depend on the outcome of negotiations with Turkey for an agreement on the budget necessary for its participation. That cooperation comprises a Accordingly, the Commission recommends to the Council that it adopt an amendment to the basic Decisions relating to these programmes so that the Republic of Turkey can be included among the beneficiary states. * Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council 96/0130 (COD) amending the basic Decision relating to the Socrates programme 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 Articles 126 and 127 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189b of the Treaty, Having regard to Decision No 819/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 1995 establishing the Community action programme Socrates, Whereas Turkey is an associated country whose links with the Community have been substantially bolstered with the entry into force of the final phase of customs union; Whereas the economic and trade links instituted by the customs union should be strengthened by closer cooperation in the field of education, training and youth, HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The second sentence of Article 7(3) of Decision 819/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 1995 shall be replaced by the following: "This programme shall be open to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as apply to the EFT A countries and Turkey following procedures to be agreed with the countries in question. " Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 3 Proposal for a Decision of the European Parliament and of the Council 96/0i 31 (COD) amending the basic Decision relating to the third phase of the Youth for Europe programme 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 126 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189b of the Treaty, Having regard to Decision No 818/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 1995 adopting for Europe programme, third phase of the Youth the Whereas Turkey is an associated country whose links with the Community have been substantially bolstered with the entry into force of the final phase of customs union; Whereas the economic and trade links instituted by the customs union should be strengthened by closer cooperation in the field of education, training and youth, HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 The second sentence of Article 7(4) of Decision 818/95/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 March 1995 shall be replaced by the following: " This programme shall be open to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations under the same rules as apply to the EFJA countries and Turkey, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. " Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. 1+ Proposai for a decision of the Council %/OI32 (SYN) amending the basic Decision relating to the Leonardo programme to include Turkey among the beneficiary countries THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 127 thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission, Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee, Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions, Acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189c of the Treaty, Having regard to Decision No 94/819/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 6 December 1994 establishing an action programme for the implementation of a European Community training policy, Whereas Turkey is an associated country whose links with the Community have been substantially bolstered with the entry into force of the final phase of customs union; Whereas the economic and trade links instituted by the customs union should be strengthened by closer cooperation in the field of education, training and youth, HAVE DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 Article 9(2) of Decision 94/819/KC of 6 December 1994 shall be replaced by the following: "This programme shall be opened up to the participation of Cyprus and Malta on the basis of additional appropriations in accordance with the same rules as those applied to the EFT A countries and Turkey, in accordance with procedures to be agreed on with those countries. " Article 2 This Decision shall enter into force on the day of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities. FINANCIAL STATEMENT BUDGET HEADING B7-4035 TITLE OF OPERATION Turkish participation in a number of Community programmes Appropriations authorized 1996 Commitments 1 Payments 2 Appropriations requested 1997 Commitments Payments 4 3 ECU million % variation Commitments 5-3/1 Payments 6-4/2 LEGAL BASIS The Commission will ask the budgetary authority to create this specific budget heading, which will be given a legal basis. DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION 4. 1 Overall objective In the final phase of creation of the EC-Turkey customs union, which started on 31 December 1995, Turkey's participation in these programmes will be in the Community's interest. Beneficiaries of the programmes in the Community, especially students, academics and young people, will be able to establish closer links with their Turkish counterparts in the iields in the of education, training and youth. programmes will also help to strengthen democracy and the observance of human rights in Turkey itself. Turkey's participation The Community programmes of obvious interest to Turkey are those aimed at enhancing human resources: Socrates, Leonardo, Youth for Europe III. These programmes are designed to help build up a large open area for education and vocational training and develop high quality education, in particular through exchanges in the widest sense of the term. 4. 2 Period covered Indefinite CLASSIFICATION OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 5. 1 Non-compulsory expenditure 5. 2 Differentiated appropriations 5. 3 Type of revenue involved: none TYPE OF EXPENDITURE OR REVENUE 100% grant Grant aid for cofmancing Should the operation prove to be an economic success, is there provision for all or part of the Community contribution to be reimbursed? Will the proposed operation cause any change in the level of revenue? If so, what sort of change and what type of revenue is involved? FINANCIAL IMPACT Turkey will make its financial contribution in the same way as other associated countries, namely by making a direct contribution or by allocating funds provided for financial cooperation (or a mix of the two). 7. 1 Itemised breakdown of cost Breakdown 1996 budget PDB 1997 % variation EC/ECU million TOTAL 8. FRAUD PREVENTION MEASURES; RESULTS OF MEASURES TAKEN All contracts, agreements and legal undertakings entered into by the Commission provide for the possibility of on-the-spot checks by the Commission itself or the Court of Auditors. In addition, on the beneficiaries' side, operations must be accompanied by reports and financial statements, which are then evaluated in terms of the activities carried out and the eligibility of the expenditure in accordance with the objectives of Community expenditure. The anti-fraud provisions of the basic budgetary headings are applicable following adjustments for Turkey's situation. 9. ELEMENTS OF COST-EFFECTIVENESS ANALYSIS 9. 1 Quantifiable specific objectives and target population - Specific objectives: links with the overall objective Turkey's participation in these programmes will enable Community participants in these programmes , above all students, academics and young people, to establish closer links with their Turkish counterparts. Furthermore, one of the aims of closer relations with Turkey, which are in the process of being created thanks to customs union, is to ensure that Turkey is continues on the path of greater democratization, stricter observance of fundamental human rights and a greater role for civil society in the country's development. Cooperation in the fields of education, training and youth will further this process. Target population: distinguish as applicable for each objective; indicate the end-beneficiaries of the intermediaries involved. financial contribution and the Community's Mainly students, academics and young people The intermediaries will usually be teaching establishments, above all universities and other institutions of higher education. 9. 2 Grounds for the operation - Need for Community financial aid For reasons of economies of scale and economic and social cohesion and, above all, because the EU is a catalyst for the aid that the Member States could offer individually. - Choice of ways and means Spin-offs Closer economic relations with Turkey: economic and social development Main factors of uncertainty which could affect the specific results of the operation 9. 3 Monitoring and evaluation of the operation Performance indicators * number of students, academics and young people involved in the programmes 8 * the extent to which Turkey's image is enhanced in the European Union and vice versa * the establishment of sounder and more numerous links between Turkish and EU citizens * the EU's influence on the career of the Turkish participants Details and frequency of planned evaluations The projects will be monitored and evaluated at regular intervals by both the implementing agency and the Commission. Assessment of the results obtained The method of assessment used for basic budget headings will also be used for this heading, with the necessary adjustments for the situation of Turkey. STATEMENT RELATING TO SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES (SME) The opening of the programmes to Turkey will have a positive effect on SME owing to the numerous contacts that can be made and developed, chiefly in the field of vocational training. AD ISSN 0254-1475 COM(96) 199 final DOCUMENTS EN 11 M Catalogue number : CB-CO96-208-EN-C ÏSBN92-78-CB571-8 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-29S5 Luxembourg 4t