91998E1262

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1262/98

by Edith Müller (V) to the Commission

(29 April 1998)

Subject: Links and training programmes with the applicant countries

What administrative offers and programmes have been put in place by the Commission as a means of developing links with the applicant countries (training programmes, trainees, etc.), particularly in this period of pre-membership for the Central and Eastern European countries?

Answer given by Mr Van den Broek on behalf of the Commission

(25 May 1998)

The conclusions of the Copenhagen European Council, confirmed by the Essen European Council, stipulate that the countries of central and eastern Europe, which have Europe agreements with the Community, should be offered the possibility of participating in Community programmes, especially in the fields of education, training and youth, with the option of having recourse to Phare funds to cover part of the costs of their participation. The formal steps establishing the legal bases to implement this decision were concluded by September 1 1997 for Hungary and Romania, October 1, 1997 for the Czech Republic, March 1 1998, for Poland, and April 1 1998, for Slovakia.

As of these dates the countries are fully integrated into the Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and Youth for Europe programmes. Those which joined at the end of 1997 have already had funding attributed to projects presented by them.

Bulgaria has asked to participate in the programmes partially. The preparation for the integration into the programmes of the Baltic countries is underway and will be initiated for Slovenia as soon as the Europe agreement enters into force.

Meanwhile the Tempus programme, which continues to be funded with Phare funds, albeit at a decreasing rate, remains in operation. It will be phased out gradually in parallel with the increasing participation in Community programmes of the candidate countries. Funding for these countries will cease completely as of the end of 1999.

The principal instrument in support of institution building in the candidate countries, one of the two priorities under the new orientation of the Phare programme, will be the establishment of twinning projects between the administrations of candidate countries and Member States. The purpose is to provide assistance from practitioners to the candidate countries' efforts in creating the institutional and administrative capacity to implement and enforce the acquis. The backbone of these twinning projects will be the long-term secondment of experts from the Member States in the candidate countries and the hosting of trainees from the candidate countries in the Member States. This will be accompanied by other appropriate components where targeted training activities will occupy a prominent position. Opportunities will be provided for civil servants to attend training programmes related to Community integration and the specific application of the acquis. Special programmes are being developed for the training of judges and diplomats.