Commission negotiates on Cypriot and Maltese participation in education and training programmes The EU's Foreign Affairs Ministers met with their counterparts from Cyprus and Malta during Association Councils held in the framework of the General Affairs Council of 13-14 May 1996 in Brussels. The meetings reviewed progress of the "structured dialogue" which is designed to... The EU's Foreign Affairs Ministers met with their counterparts from Cyprus and Malta during Association Councils held in the framework of the General Affairs Council of 13-14 May 1996 in Brussels. The meetings reviewed progress of the "structured dialogue" which is designed to prepare the two countries for entry to the European Union. Both Cyprus and Malta are already eligible to participate in the Fourth RTD Framework Programme, and Community policy is for other programmes and initiatives to be opened up to their participation. In the light of this policy, the Commission has started negotiations on the countries' participation in the SOCRATES, LEONARDO DA VINCI and YOUTH FOR EUROPE programmes in the fields of education and training, and hopes that an agreement on Maltese and Cypriot participation in these programmes will be reached shortly. The Commission has also presented proposals for Maltese and Cypriot participation in Community programmes in the audiovisual and cultural fields. The Italian Presidency announced that meetings at ministerial level with the two countries will be held as part of the preparations for the EU's Council of Research Ministers on 19 June 1996. These meetings will take place in Cyprus on 5 June, and Malta on 6 June. Countries Cyprus, Malta
