Brussels, 23/05/2005 (Agence Europe) - National audiovisual ministers meeting on Monday afternoon at the Education, Youth and Culture Council reached an agreement on adopting general guidelines for the Media 2007 programme. The financial aspects have not yet been tackled as they are linked to the definition of the future Community framework (financial perspectives 2007-2013). Discussions took place under the presidency of Jean-Louis Schilz, Luxembourg Minister for Cooperation and Humanitarian Action and Deputy Minister for Communications, and were attended by Commissioner Viviane Reding, responsible for information society and audiovisual policy, who was delighted with the broad consensus reached between all Member States on the way the future programme is to work. Guidelines cover the training of professionals in the sector and artistic development as well as the production and promotion of audiovisual works, with emphasis placed on support to SMEs and pilot projects. Special attention was paid, moreover, to the development of new technologies which will play a fundamental role in the audiovisual sector. “The guidelines that we have reached will allow film makers to continue to develop their talks and to radiate outside EU borders”, Jean-Louis Schilz commented. Commissioner Reding welcomed trade facility, remarking that “the Luxembourg Presidency has worked well” and saying that “after the summer” she expects a favourable opinion from the Parliament on Media 2007. Adoption of these guidelines is important, the Commission underlined, as Europeans have a past, a history, roots and a substantial heritage to preserve, and because European cinema has a future and Media 2007 provides major support for the film industry. Ms Reding recalled that twelve films presented at the last Cannes festival were supported by the European programme, including the Palme d'Or (“L'Enfant” by the Dardenne brothers).
The setting in place of concrete measures to combat broadcasts of a racist nature diffused by third countries will also be on the agenda. On the basis of a memorandum presented by the Commission on the results of the meeting of national regulatory authorities in the field of broadcasting, which was held on 17 March (see EUROPE 8911), the Council looked at work already under way on Monday afternoon. “The fight against racial hatred must be head-on (…). We must have means allowing us to act and act effectively”, Minister Schilz proclaimed. Ways have been found to develop a joint strategy to combat racial broadcasts, especially by ensuring a better exchange of information between Member States and establishing a mutual recognition system for the prohibition of certain channels. Viviane Reding, who noted the importance of beginning dialogue with third countries also, urged for the protection of European “values” and pointed out that the next review of the Television Without Borders directive would allow a framework to be defined in this aim, in collaboration with the foreign ministers.
Ministers also adopted a recommendation on the recognition of cinematographic heritage that will allow easier cataloguing and diffusion of European works. The recommendation was adopted at first reading, Viviane Reding was pleased to note.