Brussels, 04/10/2013 (Agence Europe) - The Culture Ministers of the EU have called on the member states and the European Commission to adopt a more proactive policy on culture, so that this can become a strong element of the policies pursued to promote economic growth and social cohesion. “Taking into account the position of culture in the light of the EU multiannual financial framework for the 2014-2020 period, we agreed to make efforts that the culture and creative sectors are addressed properly by further strategies and planning documents at all levels”, said the Lithuanian Culture Minister, Sarunas Birutis. The informal meeting of the Culture Ministers was held in Vilnius on 1 and 2 October.
Those taking part in the debate encouraged political decision-makers in other sectors to seek ways of including the culture and creative sectors in their plans, taking account of national challenges and specificities. They reiterated the evident economic value of these sectors, which generate 3.3% of GDP and employ 6.7 million people, and highlighted the specific contribution to the economy of two highly dynamic creative sectors: the fashion industry and the luxury goods industry. At the meeting, the ministers also discussed obstacles to guaranteeing the freedom of the media and pluralism in the constantly-evolving audiovisual sectors. The current challenge is to ensure diversity in sources of information and the quality of the media, also in a current state of flux, by vouchsafing a competitive environment, which encourages development and innovation. The ministers also discussed the possibility of implementing joint actions to create a reliable system to ensure broad access to content, the protection of the most vulnerable groups of consumers and the protection of European values. They also discussed the measures to be taken at European Union level and decisions which should remain of national competence.
At the informal meeting, the Lithuanian Presidency announced that it was to prepare conclusions on guaranteeing the freedom and pluralism of the media within a digital environment. These conclusions will be presented to the “Culture Council” of November for formal approval by the ministers. (IL/transl.fl)