Brussels, 27/01/2004 (Agence Europe) - For the first time on 25th January 2004, at MIDEM (International Music Market) in Cannes, France, prizes were awarded to the debut albums which achieved the highest sales in the European Union in 2003, outside their country of origin. These "Border Breaker" prizes highlight the diversity of European music and the potential of the single market. They unite professionals from the world of music, authors, composers, performers, major or independent producers, in helping to improve the distribution of European music across the European Union. Prizes were awarded to: The Darkness (United Kingdom), The Thrills (Ireland), Las Ketchup (Spain), Carla Bruni (France), , Naïve Masterplan (Germany), Tiziano Ferro (Italy), Lasgo (Belgium), Saybia (Denmark) and Mariza (Portugal).
On congratulating the Border Breaker winners, Commissioner Viviane Reding declared that she was convinced that increased exports in the area of music had considerable potential with regard to the economic and cultural spin-off effects. She said that music was a fantastic tool for promoting dialogue and cultural exchanges and that the single market was a place in which music could demonstrate its competitiveness. She concluded the Border Breaker awards contributed to the two aspects of encouraging musicians and their work at a European level.
A press statement issued by the spokesperson indicated that these prizes had been awarded on the initiative of the European Commission in collaboration with professional European music industry bodies such as EMO (European Music Office), GESAC (European Group of Societies of Authors and Composers), ICMP/CIEM (International Confederation of Music Publishers), IFPI (International Federation of the Phonographic Industry), IMPALA (Independent Music Companies Association) and Billboard Information Group. Winners were selected in accordance with the following criteria: 1) original debut album by artists or groups from an EU Member State; 2) sales figures in the 15 Member States, not including the country of origin; 3) sales between 27/11/2002 and 26/11/2003.
The spokesperson added that MIDEM also provided an opportunity for discussions on the changes in and the outlook for the music industry in Europe, at a meeting organised by EMO (European Music Office) and the European Commission on 25th January. The spokesperson pointed out that through its Culture 2000 programme, the European Commission has cofinanced over a hundred exchange and cooperation projects in the field of music: training, support for tours, concerts and festivals. It has also set up pilot projects to promote exports of European music both within the EU and abroad. (For more info: http: //http://www.europa.eu.int/comm/culture/index_en.htm ).