Brussels, 06/11/2001 (Agence Europe) - According to Council President Rudy Demotte, who closed the work of the Culture Council held on 5 November (see also yesterday's EUROPE, pages 5 and 6), there is a strong consensus to give European culture its rightful place, not only as far as aesthetics and the beautiful are concerned but also as a pillar of democracy that acts as a link between peoples. The Spanish Presidency, he said, will continue this action for full and complete recognition of the place of culture.
After having discussed the European audio-visual sector and the cultural and economic dimension of the European film industry, as well as the role of culture in conflict prevention, the ministers held a "highly political" public debate, on the basis of a note from the Presidency, on the place of culture in the building of Europe. They adopted a resolution in this connection (see EUROPE of 5 and 6 November, pp.5-6). The main points raised on this occasion covered: - Greece stressed the need to send a "clear message in favour of the single cultural market", and placed emphasis on the bridges that exist between culture and sport (for example: the cultural Olympiads and the Olympic Games of 2004 that are to be organised in collaboration with the CIO and UNESCO); - Luxembourg urged for the EU to recast its cultural vision and highlighted the role of culture in fostering tolerance; - Portugal insisted on the effect that culture would have in "opening doors to the neighbouring world", and noted that culture has become one of the factors in generating wealth; - the United Kingdom stressed the "clear and precise link" between culture and the economy, "as creative industries today create employment"; - for France, the consolidation of European construction implies that one should learn to know oneself better, and cannot remain indifferent to the place of culture; - Finland placed emphasis on the role of culture in the enlargement process; - Germany considered that Article 151 of the Treaty must be an "instrument allowing our cultural heritage to be actively enhanced", with reference to the Euromed dialogue; - Belgium felt the "point of departure is the guarantee of the cultural identity, diversity and autonomy of Member States" and cultural diversity "requires an active approach" and an "open communication".
Viviane Reding announces "post 11 September" action plan
During the debate, Education and Culture Commissioner Viviane Reding said the events that took place on 11 September were not a threat to "respect of cultural diversity within the EU (…). On the contrary (…), cultures, even the small cultures, work together; we just have to be able to put this cultural diversity into practice, and make it live". At this point, Ms Reding raised a budgetary question. "What do you expect us to do with a culture budget 2000 amounting to 167 million over five years, if we are to do everything the ministers have said?", she asked. She went on to add: "You must be bold enough to give this policy the means it needs". She mainly insisted on the importance of "building bridges within the EU and outside the EU" and pointed out that the Commission is willing to form an action plan in this connection, in consultation with the Member States. "One must use all the possibilities provided by the media, the cinema and the television in order to strengthen dialogue between cultures, policies and citizens", specified Ms Reding, who pointed out that President Prodi had called on Commissioner Patten (External Relations) and on herself to build "bridges between the different continents" and to begin with the EU and the Mediterranean countries. Ms Reding announced that the TEMPUS Programme (for cooperation in the field of higher education in the countries of south-east Europe, the former USSR and Mongolia) will shortly be presented to the Mediterranean countries. She said that the second Euromed Youth programme, that allows young people to meet and take part in the voluntary services and hence to support civil society, will soon be launched with a budget increase of over 40%. Finally, with a view to the Olympic Games in Athens and then in Torino, Viviane Reding, who is also responsible for sports policy, stressed the link between culture and sport. She recalled that the "essence of sport is fair play, tolerance and respect of others" and that this idea should be passed on in schools, she concluded.