Brussels, 14/11/2002 (Agence Europe) - Meeting in Brussels on 12 November under the presidency of Ulla Tornaes (see EUROPE of 9 November, p.12), the education ministers of the EU were, according to Commissioner Viviane Reding, "unanimous on the need to render very concrete work relating to vocational training at European level, as well as over the Erasmus World programme". Fruitful talks were also held on the report on the objectives of the educational and training systems in Europe, and on educational services in the context of GATS (general agreement on trade an services/WTO).
"Our aim is to establish a system that allows electricians, plumbers, labourers to have another job in Europe, and improve the quality of training in Europe", commented Ulla Tornaes. To that end, ministers adopted a resolution on stepping-up European co-operation in teaching and vocational training, which sets out four priorities: (1) strengthening the European dimension of vocational training; (2) increasing transparency, information and guidance; (3) improving and recognising the competences and qualifications between different countries and levels; (4) quality assurance. Ms. Tornaes announced that the conference of education ministers of the EU and candidate countries, in Copenhagen on 29 and 30 November would also adopt a Copenhagen Declaration on enhancing European co-operation in vocational training, along the same lines as the one adopted by the Fifteen on 12 November. "All ministers agree to unite their efforts so that after this large conference on the enlarged Europe we can work in a concrete manner on the ground", said Viviane Reding.
As for the Erasmus World programme 2004-2008 (the budget of which amounts to 200 million euro), Ms. Reding said that "the idea of the future is to place the quality of European university teaching front stage, for it to become important at world level". She then recalled that "this project will focus on the quality of our university capabilities placed in common" and offered to "the best European students and from throughout the world". During talks, several delegations raised the question of the label of "European Masters" and its content, and placed emphasis on the importance of retaining academic independence. Portugal and France raised the question of the programme's funding (which ends in 2008, but only has a budget to 2006). Ministers also expressed concern at the difficulties of co-operation that universities could run up against, this "Masters" being used in at least two different universities in three EU countries. Finally, Ms. Reding insisted on the urgency of a timetable for the programme to be adopted under the Italian presidency, in October 2003, to begin with the academic year 2004/2005.
European Parliament Plenary Session