Uitkomsten Raad Onderwijs, Jeugdzaken, Cultuur en Sport (en)
COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION
PROVISIONAL VERSION
PRES SE 38 PR CO 5
PRESS RELEASE
3144th Council meeting
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport
Brussels, 10 February 2012
President Ms Christine ANTORINI
Minister for Children and Education of Denmark
PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
Main results of the Council
The Council adopted the 2012 joint report on the implementation of the "Strategic framework for European cooperation in the field of education and training ("ET 2020"), together with the priorities for the next work cycle (2012-2014).
In public deliberation, the Council held a policy debate on the contribution of education and training to reducing youth unemployment, in the context of the European Semester and the 2012 Annual Growth Survey.
PROVISIONAL VERSION
CONTTS1
10.11.2012
PARTICIPANTS................................................................................................................................5
ITEMS DEBATED
JOINT REPORT ON EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION
AND TRAINING.................................................................................................................................7
EUROPE 2020 STRATEGY - EDUCATION AND TRAINING'S CONTRIBUTION TO REDUCING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMT........................................................................................8
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
— Restrictive measures against Belarus.....................................................................................................................10
— Restrictive measures - Cote d'lvoire......................................................................................................................10
— Relations with Tajikistan.......................................................................................................................................10
— Budget orientations for the Common Foreign and Security Policy.......................................................................10
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
— Visa Code...............................................................................................................................................................11
— Schengen evaluation - Presidency Interim Report.................................................................................................11
INTERNAL MARKET
— Restriction of phosphates in household detergents................................................................................................12
— Update of the list of defence-related products.......................................................................................................12
— Motor vehicles type-approval - Emergency braking and lane departure warning systems....................................13
FOOD LAW
— Food additives........................................................................................................................................................13
1 Where declarations, conclusions or resolutions have been formally adopted by the Council, this is indicated in the heading for the item concerned and the text is placed between quotation marks. Documents for which references are given in the text are available on the Council's Internet site ( http://www.consilium.europa.eu )
Acts adopted with statements for the Council minutes which may be released to the public are indicated by an asterisk; these statements are available on the Council's Internet site or may be obtained from the Press Office
PROVISIONAL VERSION 10.11.2012
TRANSPORT
— Requirements and procedures regarding civil aviation aircrew.............................................................................14
— Air services agreement with Turkey *...................................................................................................................14
APPOINTMTS
— Committee of the Regions.....................................................................................................................................14
PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
PARTICIPANTS
Belgium:
Mr Olivier BELLE Bulgaria:
Ms Petya EVTIMOVA
Czech Republic:
Mr Josef DOBES
Denmark:
Ms Christine ANTORINI Mr .Tesper FISKER
Germany:
Mr Helge BRAUN
Estonia:
Mr Gert ANTSU Ireland:
Mr Ruairi QUINN Greece:
Mr Andreas PAPASTAVROU Spain:
Mr José Ignacio WERT ORTEGA France:
Mr Philippe LEGLISE-COSTA Italy:
Mr Vincenzo GRAS SI Cyprus:
Mr Giorgos DEMOSTHOUS Latvia:
Mr Juris STALMEISTARS Lithuania:
Mr Gintaras STEPONAVICIUS
Luxembourg:
Ms Michèle EISBARTH
Hungary:
Mr Andras JAVOR
Malta:
Mr Chris SAID
Netherlands:
Mr Dirk OLDBURG
Austria:
Mr Harald GÜNTHER Poland:
Ms Krystyna SZUMILAS Portugal:
Mr Pedro COSTA PEREIRA Romania:
Mr Cristian BADESCU
Slovenia:
Mr Uros VAJGL
Deputy Permanent Representative
Deputy Minister for Education, Youth and Science
Minister for Education
Minister for Children and Education
State Secretary for the Ministry for Children and
Education
Parliamentary State Secretary to the Federal Minister for Education and Research
Deputy Permanent Representative
Minister for Education and Skills
Deputy Permanent Representative
Minister for Education. Culture and Sport
Deputy Permanent Representative
Deputy Permanent Representative
Minister for Education and Culture
Deputy Permanent Representative
Minister for Education and Science
Deputy Permanent Representative
Permanent Secretary, Ministiy of National Resources
Minister for Justice, Dialogue and the Family
Deputy Permanent Representative
Deputy Permanent Representative
Minister for National Education
Deputy Permanent Representative
Deputy Permanent Representative
Deputy Permanent Representative
PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
Slovakia:
Mr Eugen JURZYCA Minister for Education, Science, Research and Sport
Finland:
Mr Jukka GUSTAFSSON Minister for Education and Science
Sweden:
Mr Jan OLSSON Deputy Permanent Representative
United Kingdom:
Mr Andy LEBRECHT Deputy Permanent Representative
Commission:
Ms Androulla VASSILIOU Member
The Government of the Acceding State was represented as follows:
CROATIA
Mr Zeljko JOVANOVIC Minister of Science, Education and Sports
PROVISIONAL VERSION 10.11.2012 ITEMS DEBATED
JOINT REPORT ON EUROPEAN COOPERATION IN THE FIELD OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING
The Council adopted the 2012 joint report on the implementation of the "Strategic framework for European cooperation in the field of education and training ("ET 2020")1, (). The report assesses actions and developments during the first cycle of implementing "ET 2020" (2009-2011) and establishes priorities for European policy cooperation during the next cycle (2012-14), which are aimed to a large extent at mobilising education and training in support of the Europe 2020 strategy
The joint report presents a mixed picture of progress, with some positive indications but still much needed to be done to improve Europe's skills base, further reduce rates of early school-leaving and improve the employability of those leaving the education and training system. The report stresses the importance of investing effectively in education and training reforms to support sustainable growth and generate jobs and underlines the need for a real follow-through by Member States on EU level policy guidance
Commissioner Vassiliou emphasised that education and training were part of the solution to recovery from the current financial crisis in Europe and called on the Member States to step up their efforts to achieve the EU headline targets on early school leaving and higher education attainment, as well as to reach the aims of the 'ET2020" framework in general. She also recalled the valuable information on education and training systems available through the EURYDICE network and it's recent on-line tool Eurypedia.
Two Member States (NL and SE) indicated that they would have preferred a shorter list of priorities for the next cycle, which would make their implementation more efficient and give sharper focus to the whole "ET2020" process.
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OJ 119, 28.5.2009
PROVISIONAL VERSION 10.11.2012
EUROPE 2020 STRATEGY - EDUCATION AND TRAINING'S CONTRIBUTION TO REDUCING YOUTH UNEMPLOYMT
Ministers discussed the education aspects of the 2012 Annual Growth Survey and the Euro Plus Pact, focusing on the education and training sector's response to the current high rate of youth unemployment in many Member States and, in particular, on how to ensure a smoother transition from education to work1. Today, an average of more than 20 % of 15-24 year olds in the EU (that is, over 5 million young people) are unemployed. In some countries, this figure is closer to 50 %
Ministers were therefore invited to indicate which policy initiative in the field of education and training should be taken in 2012, at national or European level, in order to contribute to tackling this problem and alleviating the social consequences of the crisis for young people
Commissioner Vassiliou pointed out that the current high rate of youth unemployment in Europe -coupled with a 14% rate of early school leavers and 30% of low achievers - is not only due to the financial crisis but also indicates that there are weaknesses in the European education systems that require a critical review and a perhaps a new approach. She considered that the problem of youth unemployment called for both immediate action and a longer-term preventive approach
She highlighted the recent initiative of the Commission (announced at the European Council of 30 January) to provide specific help to the 8 Member States with the highest rates of youth unemployment. Commissioner Vassiliou also recalled that Member States should make the best use of European tools, such as the Leonardo strand of the current Lifelong Learning Programme and the future Erasmus for All Programme, as well as of the Structural Funds
The debate was initiated by four "lead speakers" from Member States with particularly relevant national initiatives to present:
-
-Mr George DEMOSTHOUS from Cyprus, on educational priority zones:
-
-Dr Helge BRAUN from Germany, on vocational education and training;
-
-Mr Ruairi QUINN from Ireland, on higher education;
-
-Mr Eugen JURZYCA from Slovakia, on asymmetry in education;
1 See also: Commisison communication: Education and Training in a smart, sustainable and inclusive Europe' ()
PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
It was generally agreed that although there was not a single response to youth unemployment and that any solution required a combination of policies involving several different sectors, education and training systems had to be modernised in order to reinforce their quality and efficiency and to ensure that they equip young people with the right skills and competences for the labour market. Stronger cooperation between education and training providers, social partners and other relevant parties should be promoted to support a smoother transition from education to work
To achieve this, most ministers were of the opinion that the practical dimension of curricula and course work should be enhanced in order to avoid a skills mismatch, and that opportunities for pupils and students to acquire "hands-on" experience should be increased, in particular by promoting quality apprenticeships and traineeships and making vocational education and training more attractive. A large number of Member States had already established different types of strategies to deal with these problems, and several of them had had successful experiences with dual vocational education and training systems which combine education with direct work experience in companies
Several ministers added that better recognition of skills and competences acquired through formal, non-formal and informal education and learning should also be promoted, as these could also enhance employability
Finally, many Member States emphasised the need to urgently mobilise available resources under EU funds and programmes, in order to help more young people get into work or training and to enhance their mobility
The Presidency will forward a summary of the debate as the education sector's contribution to the Spring European Council meeting scheduled on 1-2 March 2012
PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
OTHER ITEMS APPROVED
FOREIGN AFFAIRS
Restrictive measures against Belarus
The Council adopted a regulation implementing changes to the EU sanctions regime against Belarus, which the Council decided on 23 January 2012. Those amendements broaden the criteria for imposing admission restrictions and on asset freezes. Accordingly, such sanctions can be applied to persons responsible for serious violations of human rights or the repression of civil society and democratic opposition, and to persons and entities benefiting from or supporting the Lukashenka regime
Restrictive measures - Cote d'lvoire
The Council amended the list of persons and entities subject to restrictive measures in view of the situation in Cote d'lvoire. Given the developments in Cote d'lvoire, the Council lifted restrictive measures on 30 individuals
Relations with Tajikistan
The Council approved the EU position for the second meeting of the EU-Tajikistan cooperation Council, to be held in Brussels on 27 February 2012. Talks will focus on the implementation of the EU strategy for Central Asia, political matters, including internal reforms, human rights and the rule of law, water and environment as well as international issues and regional cooperation
Budget orientations for the Common Foreign and Security Policy
The Council took note of orientations for the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) budgets in 2012 and in 2013. The Union budget for 2012 provides for EUR 362.46 million for the CFSP. Over the last years, civilian crisis management missions have consumed 85-90% of the budget. This tendency is expected to continue in the future
PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
ECONOMIC AND FINANCIAL AFFAIRS
Derogation from the VAT directive for Spain and France - Electricity interconnection
The Council adopted a decision authorising Spain and France to introduce a measure derogating from directive /EC on the EU system of value-added taxation (VAT) for the construction of an underground interconnection between their respective electricity networks ().
In order to simplify the collection of VAT on the supply of goods and services for the construction between Santa Llogaia in Spain and Baixas in France, the interconnection will be considered as being 50% in either country
JUSTICE AND HOME AFFAIRS
Visa Code
The Council adopted a regulation (75/11) amending certain provisions of the Community Code on Visas (Visa Code), which was established by regulation 1 and became applicable in April 2010
The purpose of this technical amendment is to clarify the existing text in order to establish legal certainty and a harmonised application of the rules, which will be beneficial not only to individual travellers but also to airline companies
Schengen evaluation - Presidency Interim Report
The Council took note of the most recent presidency interim report concerning the implementation of Schengen evaluations. The report provides an overview of progress and achievements over the past six months, including an up to date picture of the state of play of member states' evaluations
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OJL243 of 15.9.09
PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
Regarding first mandate evaluations (for countries wishing to join the Schengen area), the Polish presidency managed to successfully conclude the evaluation process for Liechtenstein. The Justice and Home Affairs Council adopted on 13 December 2011 conclusions and a decision allowing Liechtenstein to accede to the Schengen area on 19 December 2011. Concerning Bulgaria and Romania, the evaluation process was already finalized under the previous Hungarian presidency. A positive decision by the Justice and Home Affairs Council has, however, not yet been taken
A dozen second mandate evaluations (for countries already part of the Schengen area) continued in the various areas of evaluation (SIS, police cooperation, visa-issuance, data protection, land, air and sea borders)
In an effort to make evaluation reports and the follow-up process more effective and thus contribute to the common effort of strengthening the evaluation process, the Schengen Matters working party (Schengen evaluation) also agreed to revise the mission reports and follow-up based on the feedback obtained from the member states. The improvements will be implemented as of 2012
INTERNAL MARKET
Restriction of phosphates in household detergents
The Council adopted a regulation restricting the use of phosphates and other phosphorus compounds in consumer laundry and automatic dishwasher detergents in order to reduce the level of phosphorus poured into the waters and thus disminish eutrophication (67/11 and ADD1).
For more information see press release . Update of the list of defence-related products
The Council decided not to oppose the adoption by the Commission of a directive updating the list of defence-related products contained in directive /EC ().
Directive /EC simplifying terms and conditions of transfers of defence-related products within the EU provides that the Commission shall update the list of defence-related products, so that it corresponds to the EU's common military list, which was last updated in February 20111
Official Journal C 86 of 18.3.2011. P. 1.
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PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
Directive /EC seeks to contribute to the development of a single market for defence products, hereby reinforcing the competitiveness of Europe's defence industry
The draft directive is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt it, unless the European Parliament objects
Motor vehicles type-approval - Emergency braking and lane departure warning systems
The Council decided not to oppose the adoption by the Commission of two regulations on the installation of advanced emergency braking systems () and lane departure warning systems ().
These draft regulations will implement regulation for the purpose of type-approval requirements
They are subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt them, unless the European Parliament objects
FOOD LAW
Food additives
The Council decided not to oppose the adoption of a Commission regulation laying down specifications for food additives listed in annexes II and III to regulation ().
The Commission regulation is subject to the so called regulatory procedure with scrutiny. This means that now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt it, unless the European Parliament objects
PROVISIONAL VERSION
10.11.2012
TRANSPORT
Requirements and procedures regarding civil aviation aircrew
The Council decided not to oppose adoption by the Commission of a regulation amending the Commission regulation of November 2011 on technical requirements and administrative procedures for civil aviation aircrew. Essentially, the new legal act complements the 2011 regulation by introducing rules on cabin crew qualifications and attestations, pilot training organisations, flight simulating training devices, aero-medical centres, and certification and oversight authorities ().
The draft regulation is subject to the regulatory procedure with scrutiny; now that the Council has given its consent, the Commission may adopt it, unless the European Parliament objects
Air services agreement with Turkey *
The Council authorised the signing and provisional application of an agreement on certain aspects of air services between the EU and Turkey (Council decision: : text of agreement: : statements: ).
The agreement supersedes or complements the existing bilateral agreements between individual member states and Turkey, bringing their provisions into line with EU law, in particular as regards non-discriminatory access of all EU air carriers to routes between the EU and Turkey, the taxation of aviation fuel and competition rules
APPOINTMTS
Committee of the Regions
The Council appointed Mr Markus WALLNER (Austria) and Mr Ondfej BESIK, Ms Stëpanka FRANKOVA, Mr Dan JJRANEK and Mr Juraj THOMA (Czech Republic) as members of the Committee of the Regions for the remainder of the current term of office, which runs until 25 January 2015 (+ ).
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