Brussels, 08/12/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Monday 6 December the Belgian Presidency of EU Council of Ministers, led by Flemish Minister for Sport Philippe Muyters, brought together representatives of the EU institutions - Androulla Vassiliou for the European Commission and Emma McClarkin (ECR, UK) for the European Parliament - and the sports sector. This was the first meeting organised as part of the structured dialogue set up by the last Sports Council, through its adoption of a resolution (see EUROPE 10259). At this informal meeting, the parties discussed the future EU collaboration in the area of sport and decided to hold a regular dialogue with sports sector stakeholders, Muyters said. The exchange of views focused on the outcome of the Council, the future of the structured EU dialogue and topical issues, such as how the EU will give shape to its new responsibility on sport, sports' funding, social inclusion in and through sport, volunteering in sport and integrity in sport in all its various aspects.
One year after sport formally became an area of EU responsibility, the Council is sending a clear signal to stakeholders from the world of sport that their opinions are valued. “After all, they know best what is happening in the field. … We need to collaborate in order to bring sport a step further in the EU and to seize this new opportunity for the benefit of EU citizens,” Muyters stated. The resolution adopted on 18 November provides for structured dialogue between the EU and sports sector stakeholders and an on-going exchange of views on priorities, application and follow-up of the EU collaboration in the area of sport. Given the importance of social inclusion and Sport for All reiterated at the recent Council meeting, the Belgian Presidency invited representatives of the European Olympic Committees, the Association of European Team Sports / UEFA, the European Paralympic Committee, the European Non-governmental Sport Organisation and ISCA Europe to the meeting. The meeting took place in a positive and constructive atmosphere, Belgium noted. The Hungarian Presidency announced that it would organise the next meeting on the sidelines of the Sport Council. (I.L./transl.rt)