Socrates programme: including Turkey as a beneficiary country

The Parliament approved the Commission's proposal subject to some amendments. Parliament's opinion was drafted by Ms. Renate Heinisch, (EPP, Germany). The Decision concerns full or partial participation by Turkey in the Socrates programme in its current form, to the extent permitted by negotiations, as well as the launch of preparatory measures or measures to increase awareness with a view to such participation or to that provided for under the future framework programme (2000-2004) at the earliest possible date. There is an amendment which states that the purpose of such participation is to enable genuine exchanges to take place between young people from both sides and the staff accompanying them, while respecting their linguistic, educational and cultural diversity, as provided for in Article 126(1) of the Treaty, and bearing in mind the need to ensure fair representation of minorities. The Parliament also approved an amendment requiring it to be kept informed about the various measures taken to implement this Decision.�