The potential of young people was at the heart of the informal Culture Ministers’ meeting on 28 February in Sofia. The Bulgarian Presidency of the Council described it as a “very useful” meeting, despite the low level of ministerial participation, given that fewer than 10 ministers actually made the meeting.
Two themes were on the agenda: national and/or European action (as well as the possible bridges to build with other sectors) to help strengthen culture as a factor responsible for deepening the feeling of belonging to Europe; ways of developing the energy and potential of young people for preserving and developing European values through culture were also discussed.
The concrete suggestions made by the Bulgarian Presidency in its work notes were not discussed as such, explained the Minister for Culture, Boil Banov (see EUROPE 11970). He explained to EUROPE that, “We discussed the various initiatives concerning the exchange of artists especially working with the young people. We discussed art and culture, in relation to modern technologies which change the world. Based on the existing initiatives, we tried to exchange experience. How we can get closer together. How can we pass from words to real exchanges? Of course, we talked about mobility which has to continue, which needs to be better funded”.
On the question of the future European mobility programme’s budget, however, Banov was unwilling to provide an exact figure, “We discussed Erasmus + and the public funds which are not sufficient in the whole Europe" Creative Europe: it should continue to exist and should be funded because it is in practise the only horizontal instrument for culture”.
"Culture" dossiers under Bulgarian Presidency
The Bulgarian Presidency has placed culture at the heart of its six-month tenure’s priorities. During our interview, Banov spoke about the two proposals currently being negotiated: audiovisual media services (see EUROPE 11962) and copyright (see EUROPE 11961).
On the former, the minister asserted that certain progress had been made during the inter-institutional negotiations on Monday 26 February. An eighth trialogue is planned for 26 March, which Banov will be attending in person. He informed us that, “I do not think we will have an agreement then but I do hope that there will be consensus afterwards".
On the issue of copyright, the minister said that there had been “understanding" about the provisions related to neighbouring law (article 11) at the Parliament and Commission but did not provide any further information on the question. Banov added, “I think that under the Bulgarian Presidency, the co-legislators will have both decided their respective positions (perhaps in April, he explained later)”. He also explained, “We are very ambitious, we do not want to show that we have done some work just be proud and to show off”. He also said that it was important to find a solution on this issue in order to provide funding for artists. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)