On Thursday 9 February, the European institutions reached a formal agreement on a draft decision to celebrate European cultural heritage in 2018. The European Parliament and Council still have to formally endorse the compromise, before it can be adopted.
The European “year” events target specific themes that are likely to promote debate and dialogue in and between EU member states. At the request of the Parliament, the European Commission proposes to make 2018, “European cultural heritage year”. The idea is to promote the major role played by cultural heritage in the EU’s history and common identities.
Representatives from the Parliament, Council and Commission discussed the modalities of this celebratory event on Thursday. They agreed to add cinematographic heritage to the resources covered by cultural heritage.
They also agreed to allocate €8 million from existing programmes, to this campaign. This budget represents an increase of €4 million compared to what was initially proposed by the Commission but €6.5 million less than what had been raised in 2011 for the year of voluntary activities.
Another novelty includes the fact that Parliamentary representatives will be able to participate in the meetings of the national coordinators, arranged by the Commission, as observers.
The Committee of Permanent Representatives to the EU (Coreper) now has to approve the agreement, after which it will be the turn of the Parliamentary committee in charge of culture, then the entire Parliament. This following stage could take place during the March plenary session. If Parliament does not amend the text, the Council will adopt it as it is in a first reading. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)