140 MEPs write to European Commission to explore ways of ensuring Scotland and Wales stay in program
Wales must stay in the Erasmus program Plaid Cymru have urged.
Their call comes after more than 140 MEPs wrote to the European Commission calling on them to explore pathways to ensure Wales and Scotland remain in Erasmsus.
Terry Reintke, Vice-President of the Greens / EFA group in the European Parliament and initiator of the letter said that every young European should get the chance to participate in an exchange programme.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for post-16 education Bethan Sayed MS said this was a “welcome intervention from our European partners” and was “proof” of the strong feeling that exists across Europe for Wales to continue to participate in the Erasmus programme.
Ms Sayed called the Westminster Government’s decision to withdraw from Erasmus “extremely short-sighted and damaging to young people’s opportunities” and said
Plaid Cymru was prepared to work with the Welsh Government to explore all possible avenues to stay in Erasmus.
Plaid Cymru Shadow Minister for post-16 education Bethan Sayed MS said,
“This is a welcome intervention from our European partners, which is proof of the strong feeling that exists across Europe for Wales to continue to participate in the Erasmus programme.
“The Westminster Government’s decision to withdraw from Erasmus is extremely short-sighted and damaging to young people’s opportunities. There are significant shortfalls in the planned Turing scheme in comparison to Erasmus and the UK Government has not outlined how – or if – they intend to improve Turing.
“Erasmus is not just about sending UK students to Europe for a few terms, it’s about ensuring EU students can come here and gift us with their talents and strengthen our universities and colleges. It’s about collaboration on cross border learning and shared research projects. It’s about benefiting from the talents of our partners across Europe and participating in important cultural exchanges.
“As well as working with European partners, Plaid Cymru is prepared to work with the Welsh Government to explore all possible avenues to stay in Erasmus.”
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