I propose to take Questions Nos. 293 to 295, inclusive, together.
The Education Council meetings scheduled for 26 February — education — and 27-28 May 2004 — education, youth and culture — will be held in the headquarters of the European Council, the Justus Lipsius Building in Brussels. Discussions on agenda items for both meetings are on-going.
At the February Council the main item will be the adoption of the joint interim report of the Council and the Commission on the implementation of the detailed work programme on the follow-up of the objectives of education and training systems in Europe. There will also be an initial exchange of views by Ministers on the Europass proposal for a single framework for the transparency of qualifications and competences.
At the May Council, I anticipate that the principal agenda items in the education and youth sectors will be the adoption of council resolutions on guidance in the lifelong learning context and on social inclusion with regard to youth. In addition, there will be conclusions on quality assurance in vocational education and training and on common European principles for the validation of non-formal and informal learning. There will also be a discussion on the new generation of EU education and youth programmes due to commence in 2007 and on common objectives in the youth sector with regard to voluntary activity and a better understanding of youth. It is also intended that a declaration on racism, violence and intolerance in relation to youth be on the agenda. The agenda for the cultural sector is a matter for the Departments of Arts, Sport and Tourism and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.