Brussels, 22/04/2004 (Agence Europe) - On 20 April the European Commission outlined how it intended to implement its information and communications strategy for the European Union. Following its communication of July 2002 in which it provided an illustration of this strategy, the Commission thought it useful to outline certain aspects of its implementation with regard to the new situation with enlargement and the new financial provisions that have since entered into force.
Without wishing to endanger the adaptation of its different instruments, the Commission is developing three main bases to its strategy: the partnership with the Member States (co-responsibility); decentralisation, by way of link ups and networks; and finally the priority on audio-visual media. Different proposals are put forward to the partnership with Member States, which should allow Member States and the Commission to choose the way of funding that is best adapted to information activities (on this subject see EUROPE 20 April p 15). In connection with EU link-ups and networks, the Commission is seeking to regroup them under the single "Europe direct" name.
The Commission is proposing the modernisation of the management of "Info-Points, Carrefours d'information and animation rurales, while taking into account the disparity of the prevailing situation in the enlarged Union. The EU 15 already benefits from a pre-constituted network, which will have to be set up in the accession countries. Selection and funding for a new network will therefore be put out to tender in 2005.
In the area of audio-visual policy, the Commission points out that television and radio remain by far the preferred vectors of information by different public opinion in Europe and the accession countries. The Commission will be continuing the modernisation of the EbS (the Europe by Satellite television channel) and other relevant instruments. It will be announcing the continuation of co-funding of audio-visual programmes in the EU through calls for tender.