Free movement of persons: mobility for students, persons undergoing training, young volunteers, teachers, trainers

The Commission notes with satisfaction that the common position of the Council is broadly in line with its proposal and that the Council supports the central objective of the proposal, which is to ask the Member States to establish the necessary conditions for the development of mobility in the European Community for the purposes of education and trainig. The text constitutes an improvement over the Commission's initial proposal on several points, including access to mobility for everyone, better recognition of the skills or knowledge acquired during periods of mobility, and broader and better targeted information on mobility opportunities. The Commission notes with satisfaction that the Council respects the general structures of the legal provision as a whole. Moreover, the Commission notes the constructive amendments introduced by the Council with a view to improving clarity or accuracy, particularly with regard to the situation of third-country nationals. However, on a number of specific points, especially social security matters, the Commission regrets that the Council's text is too abstruse. Finally, in conjuction with the Council, the Commission has drawn up a statement designed to meet the Council's concerns regarding social security and taxation measures, recognising the facts that these remain the responsibility of the Member States. On the basis of the common position, the legislation procedure can now move ahead constructively with the second reading at the European Parliament. The Commission fully supports the Council's position, subject to reservations on the aspects referred to above. The Commission considers that there is a solid enough basis for a final decision to be taken.�