The Bologna Process

30.11.2015

Question for written answer E-015265-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
Andrej Plenković (PPE)

Creating a European higher education space was the main objective of the Bologna Process, which was established in 1999 after 30 countries signed the Bologna Process. Conceived as a response to the lack of unity in education systems throughout Europe, the process now includes 47 countries. The introduction of a system with three cycles (undergraduate/graduate/postgraduate), strengthened quality controls and easier recognition of qualifications have made it possible to achieve and strengthen mobility. The control system for evaluating its implementation every three years provides the European higher education system with consistency and coherence.

Croatia acceded to the Bologna Process in 2001, and the implementation procedure began in 2005. Reports on the implementation process show positive developments; however, there remain difficulties that Croatia has not yet managed to address. For instance, we accept many more students than we send abroad, the average duration of studies has increased rather than decreased, and only one control agency exists.

Given the new EU initiatives and programmes for improving skills and employability through education and training, such as Erasmus+, what measures does the Commission suggest so that Member States such as Croatia can complete, in the best and quickest way possible, the procedure to implement existing requirements in order to respond positively to new challenges?

Can we expect new programmes to be successfully implemented while existing ones have still not met all of the requirements?