Brussels, 27/06/2000 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament's Committee on Culture has taken a stance in favour of increasing the budget for "Media Plus", the new programme of aid to the audiovisual industry for the period 2001-2005. MEPs unanimously adopted the report by Ruth Hieronymi (German EPP) on the two parts of the programme, one devoted to vocational training ("Media Plus Training") and the other to the design, distribution and promotion of European audiovisual works ("Media Plus Development"). They voted for an overall five-year budget of EUR 550 million (as opposed to 440 million in the European Commission's project), including 480 million for the section on development (instead of 350) and 70 million for training (instead of 50 million).
"This is a reasonable basis for discussion with Council", was the opinion expressed by the spokesperson for European Culture Commissioner Viviane Reding. The Fifteen await the Parliament's formal opinion so that they can tackle the financial aspect between themselves. Reticence is foreseen on the part of the Netherlands. Ms Reding will speak of this on Thursday in The Hague with Dutch Culture Minister Mr Loek Hermans.
If the Hieronymi report is adopted as planned on 5 July in plenary session in Strasbourg, the culture ministers may discuss the issue during their informal meeting on 20 and 21 July in Lille. "This would make it possible to adopt the programme under French Presidency", stated Ms Reding's spokesperson. The timetable could, however, be brought into question by one of the amendments voted in parliamentary committee. The MEPs challenge the legal base foreseen by the European Commission for the adoption of the Media Plus Development programme, a base which only requires Parliament consultation (Article 157 of the Treaty on Industry). They ask to be fully involved in the decision-making process through co-decision procedure (which would be allowed by Article 151 on culture).
"This position runs counter to the opinion of the European Parliament and Council legal services (…) If one initiates a codecision procedure, this could delay discussions to such an extent that the programme would probably not be adopted before the end of the year", in order to come into effect on 1 January 2001, warns the Commission spokesperson.