Brussels, 22/02/2008 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday 19 February, the European Parliament adopted by 648 votes in favour, 2 against, with 16 abstentions, the report by Ruth Hieronymi (EPP-ED, Germany) on the Council's draft decision for signing an agreement between the European Union and Switzerland in the audiovisual field, which will enable the Swiss confederation to participate in the MEDIA 2007 programme. As a member of the Council of Europe convention on television without frontiers, Switzerland has consistently demonstrated its interest in reinforcing cooperation with the EU in the audiovisual sector, particularly through MEDIA programmes, notes the parliament. The report emphasises that Switzerland meets the conditions contained in the decision establishing the terms and conditions for participating in MEDIA 2007. Article 8 stipulates that the programme is accessible to EFTA countries and members of the EEA, as well as third country signatories to the Council of Europe convention on cross border television. The opening of third country programmes is subject to a preliminary examination of their compatibility with their national legislation and the Community acquis. According to the agreement, the Swiss contribution to the programme has reached 67.4 million Swiss francs, divided into annual tranches of around 10 million francs. (I.L.)
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