Applicant states push for input in decision-making

Date: 21/11/1996

By Mark Turner

THE question of what role, if any, would-be member states should be given in EU decision-making ahead of actual membership is causing deepening divisions within the Union's institutions.

The issue has been high-lighted in talks before a meeting of education ministers from the EU and applicant countries from central and eastern Europe (CEECs) today (21 November).

Calls by applicant countries for a greater input into Union decision-making - especially in areas where they are contributing money from their own coffers to cross-border programmes - have sparked a debate over how the EU should respond.

On one side are those who feel that potential members should learn how the Union really works by taking part in its day-to-day administration. On the other are those concerned not to give the CEECs any impression that they are already de facto members.

“This is far more than a technical debate. It is political and highly sensitive,” said one Commission official.

Plans being debated at this week's meeting of education ministers would extend the EU's education programmes eastwards.

With the approval of the Council of Ministers, the European Commission is preparing to include the CEECs in its Leonardo da Vinci, Socrates and Youth for Europe programmes, which promote exchanges in vocational training and primary to higher education.

But profound disagreements remain over how the expansion should be funded and how decisions should be taken once the CEECs are on board.

Given the high profile of Erasmus (the part of the Socrates programme which arranges university exchanges) within the EU, the Commission believes these schemes could provide a very real symbol of European integration. But some officials warn that recent developments are transforming the move into a demonstration of disunity.

It is likely that whatever the outcome, the participating countries will make at least a partial contribution to the cost of the programme from their own resources.

Central and eastern European officials believe that since they are paying, they should have some say in how the money is spent, while stressing that they are not looking to take the final decisions.

“We just wish to be consulted on how the programmes are run,” said a Hungarian diplomat.