"Improving the openness and competitiveness of our educational systems and promoting mutual understanding between our peoples". Ján Figel’, European Commissioner for Education, comments the agreement on education and professional training that was signed by and between the EU and the United States during the Vienna summit with EU leaders and president Bush. In this way, the two sides of the Atlantic will commit themselves to a eight-year scheme to promote exchanges between students and teachers, create "transatlantic diplomas" and more generally strengthen political cooperation in the area of higher education. "This agreement will enable our students explained Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commissioner for foreign relations to study overseas". "These precious experiences added the commissioner greatly raise the standards of relations" between European and American citizens and "help us understand them better and gain an insight of the relevant cultures, languages and institutions". In this respect, the Commission has allocated 45 million euros until 2013, to enable 6 thousand young Europeans and Americans to attend educational programs abroad.
