Brussels, 21/03/2014 (Agence Europe) - Speaking on Twitter on 20 March, Denis Abbott, the spokesman for European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Androulla Vassiliou, said that “Ukrainian students can participate in Erasmus+. Four thousand will get grants.” Constance Le Grip MEP (EPP, France), however, has called on the European Commission to examine possibilities for giving Ukrainian students the grants that had been planned for students from Switzerland (see EUROPE 11042). Abbott explained that Switzerland had paid for these grants for the 2014 academic year, in compliance with the partnership agreement concluded with the European Union.
In a press release, the Commission explained that Ukrainian students were already participating in the exchange programme under the former Erasmus Mundus programme, now included in the new Erasmus+ programme, and that Erasmus+ will provide them with even more opportunities. In addition to the 4,000 students expected to benefit from the exchange programme, 7,000 young Ukrainians are also expected to take part in the European voluntary service. Since March 2013, Ukraine has also been participating in the eTwinning programme. Around 100 schools and more than 300 Ukrainian teachers are expected to take part in this programme this year. Ukrainian researchers have also been able to apply to take part in the Marie Sklodowska action initiative since 2007. Around 200 grants have been awarded to Ukrainian researchers as part of this initiative. (IL)