The Commission has presented its 2005 annual report on the implementation of the Tempus III programme. The implementation of the programme in 2005 was guided by the following priorities:

- reinforcing the involvement of national authorities in the implementation of the programme;

- strengthening the role of National Tempus Offices;

- consolidating programme management;

- enhancing the dissemination of programme results;

- continuing the preparation of the future Tempus programme.

The report states that the abovementioned strategic objectives have all been satisfactorily achieved. The continuous dialogue with national authorities and their close involvement in the definition of priorities and the selection of projects ensures that funded activities are relevant to the country’s needs and in line with national reform objectives. This ensures ownership by national governments and increases the impact of the programme’s interventions. National Tempus Offices in the partner countries have been further reinforced and play an important role in liaising with national authorities and other stakeholders.

Feedback from national authorities and the results of the field monitoring have confirmed that Tempus continues to be a highly relevant programme for assisting partner countries in reforming and modernising their higher education systems.

PURPOSE: Report on the TEMPUS Programme's activities in 2002 and 2003.

CONTENT: The implementation of the programme in 2002 and 2003 was marked by the pursuit of the process of programme implementation reform, the successful launch and consolidation of the programme in the MEDA region, the introduction of a new type of project (Structural and Complementary Measures); and the final evaluation of Tempus II and the interim evaluation of Tempus III. These developments were launched in 2002 and materialised in 2003. For this reason, the annual reports for 2002 and 2003 have been merged into a single document.

In June 2002, the Tempus programme was extended to the Mediterranean Partners with a view to reinforcing the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership and as part of a wider strategy to strengthen dialogue between peoples and cultures in the European Union and around the Mediterranean.

Algeria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, the Palestinian Authority, Syria and Tunisia are eligible for funding under the programme. Israel's participation is possible on a self-funding basis only.

To prepare for the first deadline for applications (15 December 2002), the Commission carried out missions to the MEDA Partners, discussing start-up measures with the national authorities and providing information to potential applicants. In spite of the short time between the formal extension of the programme and the deadline for applications, there were a good number of proposals and projects selected (in 2003), which proved the preparedness and interest among EU and MEDA countries' institutions for co-operation in higher education.

The one exception to the relatively good level of participation from partner countries is Algeria, for reasons connected with the period of unrest the country has gone through and its impact on international co-operation. By the end of 2003, however, the number of applications concerning that country had risen sharply.

Starting in 2002 and continuing throughout 2003, the Commission assisted the MEDA Partner Countries in establishing National Tempus Offices (NTOs). As in the CARDS and TACIS countries, these offices act as reference points, providing information, and helping participating institutions in Partner Countries as well as facilitating co-operation with the EU Member States.

Negotiations with the national authorities led to the establishment of NTOs in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Syria and Tunisia. An NTO is also operational in Algeria. The Ministries of Higher Education in the MEDA Partner Countries were also involved in the identification of national priorities for publication in the new Guide for Applicants.

In October 2003, a major conference was organised in Alexandria, Egypt to mark the launching of Tempus in the Mediterranean Region. More than 300 representatives of higher education institutions from Europe and the Mediterranean Partners attended. The Conference underlined the importance of educational co-operation and intercultural dialogue between Europe and its Mediterranean Neighbours.

The main conclusion of the report is that the two parallel processes of reform and extension have given Tempus renewed vigour and potential. This is combined with a highly positive evaluation of the programme. A period of consolidation will now follow. There will clearly be a continued central role for the programme in the new geo-political circumstances of an enlarging European Union.