PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Switzerland 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 to 2013).

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2011/82/EC 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 to 2013).

BACKGROUND: the Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union and Switzerland establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of Switzerland in the " Youth in Action " programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning .

The Agreement was signed, on behalf of the Union, on 15 February 2010, subject to its conclusion at a later date, in accordance with Council Decision 2010/195/EU.

It is now appropriate to conclude the Agreement on behalf of the EU.

CONTENT: with this decision, the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of Switzerland in the "Youth in Action" programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2007 to 2013) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The main issues addressed in the Agreement are the following:

conditions, rules and procedures concerning projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Switzerland to programmes as are applied to Member States, regarding in particular the submission, assessment and selection of applications and projects, the responsibilities of the national structures in the implementation of the programmes, and the activities related to the monitoring of their participation in the programmes; Switzerland’s annual financial contribution to each programme; financial control and audit matters; duration of the Agreement: 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. The Agreement may be extended automatically if the programmes are extended without change.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 31/01/2011.

Decision 2011/82
OJ L 032 08.02.2011, p. 0001

Results of vote in Parliament

Debate in Parliament

The European Parliament adopted a legislative resolution in which its gives its consent to 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).

T7-0487/2010

A7-0334/2010

A7-0334/2010

The Committee on Culture and Education unanimously adopted the report drafted by Doris PACK (EPP, DE) recommending that the European Parliament give its consent to 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).

PE450.646

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation regarding 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).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, the agreement between the EU and Switzerland, laying down the terms and conditions for the participation of this country in the Youth in Action programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning .

The agreement was signed in the name of the Union on 15 February 2010 pending the conclusion at a later date, in accordance with Council Decision 2010/195/EU. It is now possible to conclude this agreement in the name of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

LEGAL BASE: Articles 165(4) and 166(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) thereof.

CONTENT: with this proposed decision, the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland, establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of Switzerland in the Youth in Action programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning is approved in the name of the European Union.

The Agreement is linked to the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons concluded by Decision 2002/309/EC, Euratom of the Council and of the Commission .

For further details about the content of the agreement, please refer to the summary of the document annexed to the procedure dated 19/01/2010.

Technical provisions are also laid down to govern decision-making within the Joint Committee on the Free Movement of Persons which will also be responsible for ensuring the management of this agreement in those areas that concern it.

12818/2010

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation regarding 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).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: the Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, the agreement between the EU and Switzerland, laying down the terms and conditions for the participation of this country in the Youth in Action programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning .

The agreement was signed in the name of the Union on 15 February 2010 pending the conclusion at a later date, in accordance with Council Decision 2010/195/EU. It is now possible to conclude this agreement in the name of the European Union.

IMPACT ASSESSMENT: no impact assessment was undertaken.

LEGAL BASE: Articles 165(4) and 166(4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU) in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) thereof.

CONTENT: with this proposed decision, the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland, establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of Switzerland in the Youth in Action programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning is approved in the name of the European Union.

The Agreement is linked to the Agreement between the European Community and its Member States, of the one part, and the Swiss Confederation, of the other, on the free movement of persons concluded by Decision 2002/309/EC, Euratom of the Council and of the Commission .

For further details about the content of the agreement, please refer to the summary of the document annexed to the procedure dated 19/01/2010.

Technical provisions are also laid down to govern decision-making within the Joint Committee on the Free Movement of Persons which will also be responsible for ensuring the management of this agreement in those areas that concern it.

12818/2010

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation regarding 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).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: following the results of the 1992 referendum, rejecting Switzerland's participation in the EEA Agreement, Switzerland showed continued interest in closer cooperation with the EU in the education, training and youth sector. In a joint declaration on future negotiations attached to the seven agreements signed on 21 June 1999 by the EC and Switzerland, the two parties stated that preparatory work for negotiations on Swiss participation in training and youth programmes should proceed rapidly after conclusion of the seven agreements. This area of cooperation was indeed broached during the next cycle of bilateral negotiations.

Since the legal basis for the education, training and youth programmes which were in force in the 2000-2006 period (Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth) did not provide for the participation of Switzerland, it was agreed to postpone the negotiation of a participation agreement until after the adoption of the programmes succeeding them. This took place for the generation of programmes 2007-2013: the ‘ Youth in Action’ programme and the action programme in the field of lifelong learning .

In February 2008 the Council authorised the opening of negotiations with Switzerland with a view to concluding an agreement laying down the terms and conditions for its participation in the two programmes. Negotiations were completed in August 2009, and on 25 January 2010 the Council adopted a Decision approving the signing of the Agreement and its provisional application from 2011.

IMPACT ANALYSIS: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASE: Article 165(4) and Article 166 (4), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

CONTENU : the main points of the Agreement are as follows :

projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Switzerland will be subject to the same conditions, rules and procedures pertaining to these programmes as are applied to Member States, regarding in particular the submission, assessment and selection of applications and projects, the responsibilities of the national structures in the implementation of the programmes, and the activities related to the monitoring of their participation in the programmes; Switzerland will make an annual financial contribution to each programme; as regards financial control and audit matters, Switzerland will conform to European Union provisions, including controls by European Union bodies and controls carried out by 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. The Agreement may be extended automatically if the programmes are extended without change; the Agreement reflects a political link with the Agreement on the free movement of persons signed on 21 June 1999 by ruling out an extension in the event of the termination of the Agreement on the free movement of persons.

In accordance with the arrangements made for agreements previously concluded on Switzerland's participation in other European Union programmes, a Council Declaration covers questions concerning the attendance of Swiss representatives at programme committee meetings, as observers, for the points which concern Switzerland.

COM(2010)0426
EUR-Lex

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the EU and the Swiss Confederation regarding 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).

PROPOSED ACT: Council Decision.

BACKGROUND: following the results of the 1992 referendum, rejecting Switzerland's participation in the EEA Agreement, Switzerland showed continued interest in closer cooperation with the EU in the education, training and youth sector. In a joint declaration on future negotiations attached to the seven agreements signed on 21 June 1999 by the EC and Switzerland, the two parties stated that preparatory work for negotiations on Swiss participation in training and youth programmes should proceed rapidly after conclusion of the seven agreements. This area of cooperation was indeed broached during the next cycle of bilateral negotiations.

Since the legal basis for the education, training and youth programmes which were in force in the 2000-2006 period (Socrates, Leonardo da Vinci and Youth) did not provide for the participation of Switzerland, it was agreed to postpone the negotiation of a participation agreement until after the adoption of the programmes succeeding them. This took place for the generation of programmes 2007-2013: the ‘ Youth in Action’ programme and the action programme in the field of lifelong learning .

In February 2008 the Council authorised the opening of negotiations with Switzerland with a view to concluding an agreement laying down the terms and conditions for its participation in the two programmes. Negotiations were completed in August 2009, and on 25 January 2010 the Council adopted a Decision approving the signing of the Agreement and its provisional application from 2011.

IMPACT ANALYSIS: no impact assessment was carried out.

LEGAL BASE: Article 165(4) and Article 166 (4), in conjunction with Article 218(6)(a) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

CONTENU : the main points of the Agreement are as follows :

projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Switzerland will be subject to the same conditions, rules and procedures pertaining to these programmes as are applied to Member States, regarding in particular the submission, assessment and selection of applications and projects, the responsibilities of the national structures in the implementation of the programmes, and the activities related to the monitoring of their participation in the programmes; Switzerland will make an annual financial contribution to each programme; as regards financial control and audit matters, Switzerland will conform to European Union provisions, including controls by European Union bodies and controls carried out by 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. The Agreement may be extended automatically if the programmes are extended without change; the Agreement reflects a political link with the Agreement on the free movement of persons signed on 21 June 1999 by ruling out an extension in the event of the termination of the Agreement on the free movement of persons.

In accordance with the arrangements made for agreements previously concluded on Switzerland's participation in other European Union programmes, a Council Declaration covers questions concerning the attendance of Swiss representatives at programme committee meetings, as observers, for the points which concern Switzerland.

COM(2010)0426
EUR-Lex

This document takes in the text of the agreement between the European Union and Switzerland on the extension to this country of the Youth in Action programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning . It is the result of negotiations which resulted in the initialling of the draft agreement on 6 August 2009.

The agreement provides specifically for its provisional application pending the completion of the procedures necessary for its ratification or its conclusion by the parties.

Its main provisions are as follows:

Duration of the agreement: the agreement is concluded for the duration of the programmes in progress. Nevertheless, if the Community decides to extend the duration of the Programmes without changing them, this Agreement will also be automatically extended accordingly. During the extension, Switzerland shall make an annual financial contribution identical to its financial contribution for 2013.

Terms and conditions for the participation of Switzerland in the programmes in question: an annex (Annex I) lays down the main conditions governing Switzerland’s participation in the Youth in Action programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning. Switzerland shall:

be responsible for establishing or designating, and monitoring, an appropriate structure (Swiss National Agency) for the coordinated management of the implementation of the Programmes' actions at national level, assume responsibility for the sound management by the Swiss National Agency of the appropriations paid to it as aid for projects, and take any measures necessary to ensure the appropriate financing, auditing and financial monitoring of the Swiss National Agency, which shall receive from the Commission a contribution to its management and implementation costs.

Switzerland shall take all other necessary steps for the efficient running of the Programmes at national level

Switzerland’s financial contribution for its participation in the programmes: to participate in the Programmes, Switzerland shall make an annual financial contribution to the general budget of the European Communities, in accordance with the arrangements set out in Annex II of the agreement. The terms and conditions for the submission, assessment and selection of applications from eligible institutions, organisations and individuals from Switzerland shall be the same as those applicable to eligible institutions, organisations and individuals from the Community.

In accordance with Annex II of the agreement, Switzerland’s contribution will be as follows:

in terms of a financial contribution to the Youth in action programme, Switzerland shall contribute EUR 1.7 million in 2011, EUR 1.8 million in 2012 and EUR 1.9 million in 2013 to the Community budget; in terms of a financial contribution to the action programmes in the field of lifelong learning, Switzerland shall contribute EUR 14.2 million in 2011, EUR 14.9 million in 2012 and EUR 15.6 million in 2013.

Travel and subsistence expenses incurred by representatives and experts from Switzerland for taking part as observers in the work of the committees or in other meetings related to the implementation of the Programmes shall be refunded by the Commission on the same basis and according to the same procedures as for the representatives and experts from the Member States of the Community.

Measures to facilitate free movement of students: within the framework of existing provisions, to facilitate the free movement and residence of students, teachers, trainees, instructors, university administrators, young people and other eligible persons moving between Switzerland and the Member States of the Community for the purpose of participating in activities covered by this agreement.

Monitoring and evaluation of programmes: the participation of Switzerland in the Programmes shall be subject to constant monitoring by the Commission and Switzerland in partnership. Switzerland shall submit the necessary reports to the Commission and be involved in other specific measures taken by the Community in that context. Agreements between the Commission and the Swiss National Agency or Swiss beneficiaries and between the Swiss National Agency and Swiss beneficiaries shall be based on the relevant provisions of the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities and on the detailed rules for its implementation, in particular regarding grant awards and the conclusion of agreements. These provisions shall apply to Swiss participants in the same way as they apply to all participants in the Programmes. Additional rules concerning financial control, recovery and other antifraud measures are laid down in Annex III of the agreement.

13104/2009