Brussels, 11/12/2013 (Agence Europe) - In Strasbourg on 11 December, European Parliament President Martin Schulz and Lithuania's Deputy Minister for European Affairs Vytautas Leskevicius, on behalf of the Council of Ministers, formally ratified the new European programme for education, youth and sport, Erasmus +. The new programme will enter into force on 1 January 2014.
The Erasmus+ programme will finance mobility grants for students, teachers, trainers and apprentices, giving them the opportunity to study or train abroad. Youth workers, voluntary workers and young sportsmen and women will also be able to benefit from the scheme. Parliament approved the text on 19 November 2013 and a signing ceremony, at which eight Erasmus students attended, constitutes the final stage, together with its publication in the Official Journal and entry into force. (IL/transl.fl)