Brussels, 10/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 10 May, European culture ministers published a conclusions document on how culture can contribute to local and regional development, an issue of crucial importance to the Spanish Presidency and which has never before been discussed at EU level, explained Spanish culture minister Ángeles González-Sinde. Culture and the creative industries play a key role in the development of a competitive, innovative and open market economy that acts as an instrument of social cohesion. Culture and the creative industries can drive the local and regional economies because they shed light on the cultural wealth of European towns and regions, making them more visible and more attractive, creating new job opportunities and the development of new skills. In the conclusions document, the Council of Ministers lays down several priorities that the member states have pledged to respect, namely: (1) Integrating culture in local and regional development policies and encouraging synergies with other policies, encouraging local authorities to take culture into account in their decision-making and promoting stronger cooperation and exchange of best practice; (2) Encouraging an environment at local and regional level conducive to better development of culture and the creative industries, particularly at small business level. The aim here is to ensure easier access to finance and new technology to help the culture and creative industries to develop effectively into the long-term. More transparent official procedures need to be considered, along with fair income for creators; (3) Strengthening culture's contribution to sustainable tourism; (4) Encouraging creativity in education and training in order to develop new skills, improve human resources and encourage social cohesion, while creating further synergies with the education sector and business; and (5) Increasing cross-border, transnational and inter-regional cooperation in the field of culture.
In addition to adopting a conclusions document on how culture can contribute to the development of towns and regions, the EU ministers also discussed how culture and creativity can make the EU more competitive, inclusive and sustainable. Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou unveiled the Commission's new Green Paper on freeing up the potential of the culture and creative industries, saying that the stops must be pulled out in support of this highly dynamic industry. (I.L./transl.fl)