Tempus III: 3rd phase of the trans-European cooperation scheme for higher education, Mediterranean countries (2000-2006)

The committee adopted the report by Juan OJEDA SANZ (EPP-ED, E) approving the proposal, subject to a number of amendments under the consultation procedure. The amendments were aimed mainly at ensuring that the proposal referred explicitly to widening the range of participants in the scheme to include political leaders and civil society in general and also at providing for a new definition of the institutions which may be beneficiaries under the programme. The committee also wanted to clarify the objectives of the programme, by specifying that these included contributing to the strengthening of democratic processes and the rule of law, to the genuine exercise of citizenship and respect for human rights, and to the recognition of diplomas and qualifications acquired in any of the eligible countries. As a precaution the committee also adopted an amendment clarifying that funding for the programme would be drawn from the global financial allocations of the corresponding geographical programmes.�