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EU/Switzerland Agreement: participation of Switzerland in the ‘Youth in Action' programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2007-2013)

2010/0231(NLE)

PURPOSE: to conclude an Agreement between the European Union and Switzerland establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of the Swiss Confederation in the "Youth in Action" programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2007 to 2013).

NON-LEGISLATIVE ACT: Council Decision 2011/82/EC on the conclusion of the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of the Swiss Confederation in the "Youth in Action" programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2007 to 2013).

BACKGROUND: the Commission has negotiated, on behalf of the European Union, the Agreement between the European Union and Switzerland establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of Switzerland in the "Youth in Action" programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning.

The Agreement was signed, on behalf of the Union, on 15 February 2010, subject to its conclusion at a later date, in accordance with Council Decision 2010/195/EU.

It is now appropriate to conclude the Agreement on behalf of the EU.

CONTENT: with this decision, the Agreement between the European Union and the Swiss Confederation establishing the terms and conditions for the participation of Switzerland in the "Youth in Action" programme and in the action programme in the field of lifelong learning (2007 to 2013) is hereby approved on behalf of the Union.

The main issues addressed in the Agreement are the following:

  • conditions, rules and procedures concerning projects and initiatives submitted by participants from Switzerland to programmes as are applied to Member States, regarding in particular the submission, assessment and selection of applications and projects, the responsibilities of the national structures in the implementation of the programmes, and the activities related to the monitoring of their participation in the programmes;
  • Switzerland’s annual financial contribution to each programme;
  • financial control and audit matters;
  • duration of the Agreement: the Agreement will apply until the programmes come to an end, or until one of the parties notifies the other party of its wish to terminate the Agreement. The Agreement may be extended automatically if the programmes are extended without change.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 31/01/2011.