12/10/2016 (Agence Europe) – The European Parliament’s budgets committee is sticking to its guns – against the advice of the Council, it is backing an increase in the EU budget for the audiovisual sector in 2017, as emerged from a vote on Tuesday 11 October on amendments voted through on 28 September. The European Commission suggests providing the MEDIA sub-programme with an annual budget of €107 million, a €6.4 million rise on 2016. The budgets committee supports this increase, but the Council opposes it: in its 12 September position, the institution calls for an increase of only €4.5 million. Confirmation of the Parliament’s committee of its position was welcomed by the European Film Agency Directors (EFADS) association, which is very concerned about the Council’s positions. A vote will now take place in plenary on 26 October. (SPj)