Brussels, 18/07/2008 (Agence Europe) - The informal meeting of the ministers of culture and audiovisual affairs is to be held on Monday and Tuesday 21 and 22 July in Versailles, chaired by French Culture and Communication Minister Christine Albanel. Enhancement and the protection of cultural heritage will be on the agenda of Monday's discussions. Ministers will hold an exchange of views on the proposal for a European Heritage Label, an initiative which came about in 2007 and which currently brings some twenty member states together. The aim of the French Presidency is to have it shared by all 27 members and to bring it under Community scope. This project is shared by the European Commission. The European Heritage Label aims to heighten awareness among citizens of their common European identity and history by developing the European aspect of cultural assets, monuments, natural and urban sites, historical landmarks and testimonies to history and European heritage. The French presidency also provides for reflection to be launched on preventing the theft and unlawful trafficking of cultural goods. Particularly affected by this scourge, France has provided initiatives at national level and plans to share its point of view with the other member states with a view to cooperation and synergy of action.
On Tuesday, the ministers will tackle three aspects concerning the audiovisual sector as part of the Telecommunications Package. Discussions will first of all cover the Commission's proposals on management of the radio spectrum. The French minister will state his concerns with regard to a number of aspects of the reform suggested (neutrality of services, secondary frequency markets, the strengthening of the Commission's powers of harmonisation) which, without exemption, could endanger the pluralism of media and cultural diversity. There will then be reflection on provisions suggested by the Commission on the protection of copyright and related rights, which aim to entrust operators with the task of informing internet users of rules in this area. Finally, ministers will appreciate the relevance of the changes suggested by the Commission for “must-carry” rules, which make it an obligation for network users to distribute programmes considered as being of general interest, in the digital age. (I.L./transl.jl)