Brussels, 27/05/2004 (Agence Europe) - In the audio-visual part of the Council on 26 May, ministers brought up the revision of the "Television without Borders" directive on the basis of orientations contained in the Commission's 2003 communication 'The Future of European Regulation Policy in the Sphere of Audio-visuals" and a preparatory document from the presidency. The Council held an informal debate in this connection on 2-3 March in Dublin, which allowed for the process to begin. Commissioner Viviane Reding pointed out to ministers that at the end of the vast consultation process in 2003, the European Commission acknowledged the need to proceed in two stages in the revision of the' directive: 1) presentation of certain clarification instruments and the implementation of regulation policy, a policy that is not completed, with the presentation of the new recommendation on protection of minors and the right of reply as well as the adoption of the interpretative communication on new advertising techniques; 2) setting up a focus group on three themes identified during consultation as being very important (regulation of audio-visual content, the level of accuracy in advertising regulation, the right to information. The commissioner aid that she welcomed the positive response from Member States for the Commission's approach and their active participation in the process. Reding also welcomed the presentation of a document by the presidency on the same themes identified by the Commission demanding greater detail. Ms Reding concluded that the Commission would listen attentively to what Member States had to say at this stage of the process. As we go to press, ministers were continuing their discussions. EUROPE will return to this subject