Brussels, 16/04/2003 (Agence Europe) - Culture and Audiovisual Commissioner Viviane Reding has proposed extending the Media and Culture 2000 programmes until 2006, "so that the new generation of programmes can be prepared in an unhurried atmosphere". Before the end of the year, she will make proposals for programmes to begin early 2007.
The Media Plus and Media Training programmes (support for European audiovisual industry and creation) are to conclude end 2005, and the Culture 2000 programme (which provides support for cooperation between cultural players to highlight cultural diversity and promote the creation of a common cultural area) ends late 2004. The Commission proposes deferring the end of the Culture 2000 programme by two years (2005 and 2006) and that of the Media Plus and Media Training programmes by one year (2006). The financial allocation for Culture 2000 would rise from EUR 167 million for 2000-2004 to EUR 236.6 million for 2000-2006, that for Media Plus from 350 to 435.6 million (2001-2006) and that for Media Training from EUR 50 to 57.4 million (2001-2006). Extending these programmes till the end of 2006 will not prevent continued exploration for innovative approaches within the present generation of programmes, a Commission spokesperson states.