RECOMMENDATION on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of the Swiss Confederation in the "Youth in Action" programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2007-2013)

22.11.2010 - (12818/2010 – C7‑0277/2010 – 2010/0231(NLE)) - ***

Committee on Culture and Education
Rapporteur: Doris Pack

DRAFT EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION

on the draft Council decision on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of the Swiss Confederation in the "Youth in Action" programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2007-2013)

(12818/2010 – C7‑0277/2010 – 2010/0231(NLE))

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–    having regard to the draft Council decision (12818/2010),

–    having regard to the draft Council decision on the signing and provisional application of an Agreement between the European Community and the Swiss Confederation establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of the Swiss Confederation in the "Youth in Action" programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2007-2013) (13104/09),

–   having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Articles 165(4), 166(4) and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a), of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C7‑0277/2010),

–   having regard to Rules 81 and 90(8) of its Rules of Procedure,

–   having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Culture and Education (A7‑0334/2010),

1.  Consents to conclusion of the agreement;

2.  Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Swiss Confederation.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

1.        Background and procedure

Although it has chosen not to join the European Economic Area, Switzerland has shown sustained interest in closer cooperation with the EU in the education, training and youth fields.

Initially, the legal bases for the EU education, training and youth programmes did not provide for participation by Switzerland, but this changed in 2006 when Parliament and Council adopted Decisions establishing the 2007-2013 "Youth in Action" and Lifelong Learning programmes.

In February 2008, the Council authorised the Commission to open negotiations about Swiss participation in the two programmes. An agreement was reached in August 2009 and the Council has already adopted a Decision approving its signature and provisional application from 2011.

Under Article 218§6 of the TFEU, the Council has to obtain the consent of the European Parliament before the agreement can enter into force. The Parliament cannot amend the agreement or the Council draft Decision providing its entry into force but it can, if so chooses, reject the draft Decision (and, thereby, the agreement).

2.        The main points in the agreement for Swiss participation in the programmes

· Projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Switzerland will be subject to the same conditions, rules and procedures as are applied to projects from Member States.

· Switzerland will establish a National Agency to coordinate implementation of the programmes at national level and will make an annual financial contribution to each programme (in 2011, EUR 1.7 million to the Youth in Action programme and EUR 14.2 million to the Lifelong Learning programme).

· Switzerland will conform to EU financial control and audit provisions, including controls by EU bodies and the Swiss authorities.

· The Agreement will apply until the programmes come to an end, or until one of the parties notifies the other party of its wish to terminate the Agreement.

· Swiss representatives will attend programme committee meetings, as observers, for the points which concern Switzerland.

3.        Rapporteur's recommendation

The Parliament and Council Decisions establishing the "Youth in Action" and Lifelong Learning programmes, adopted in 2006, already provided in principle for Swiss participation. The agreement negotiated with the Swiss authorities by the Commission is quite adequate: it extends the benefits of the programmes to Switzerland, while safeguarding the financial and other interests of the EU. The rapporteur therefore recommends that the Parliament approve the Council draft Decision.

* * *

RESULT OF FINAL VOTE IN COMMITTEE

Date adopted	18.11.2010
Result of final vote	+: –: 0:	21 0 0
Members present for the final vote	Malika Benarab-Attou, Lothar Bisky, Piotr Borys, Jean-Marie Cavada, Santiago Fisas Ayxela, Petra Kammerevert, Morten Løkkegaard, Emma McClarkin, Doris Pack, Marie-Thérèse Sanchez-Schmid, Marietje Schaake, Marco Scurria, Joanna Senyszyn, Timo Soini, Emil Stoyanov, Helga Trüpel, Marie-Christine Vergiat, Sabine Verheyen, Milan Zver
Substitute(s) present for the final vote	Seán Kelly, Georgios Papanikolaou