Mr President, Commissioner, I very much appreciate the fact that you have joined us here in Parliament to discuss the matter with us. In my opinion, and I think I can speak on behalf of everyone here present, the availability of information is essential to our democracy and, as has been stated before, to maintain our level of cultural development. I think that I would especially like to highlight this cultural aspect i.e. the cultural significance of books. This is exactly the reason why books should have an exemption position in cultural policy. In most countries, books are not subsidised, unlike other forms of culture, but this is not necessary. In my opinion, the government should mainly play a stimulating role. This is why in a large number of countries, including the Netherlands, which I represent, a decision has been made in favour of fixed book prices. In this way, we can avoid a scenario where mutual competition is so unfair that the wide and varied supply would diminish and that the easy access to information would be lost. You too have just noted yourself that Member States need to indicate themselves what measures they will take, whether they will conclude agreements or adopt legislation, but, Commissioner, language transcends boundaries. This is why I would also like to ask you three questions concerning the cross-border fixed book price. For various countries in Europe, this is an urgent matter. Some things have just come to light regarding Germany and Austria, but also in the Netherlands, activities in this sphere are closely monitored. This is important for the Dutch linguistic region but also, of course, for other linguistic regions. The first question concerns the large-scale mobility of people and new developments via e-commerce, which lead to a gradual fading of the borders. Do you not share my view that the lack of cross-border price fixing or, for example, its abolition, especially for small businesses – and with this I am back on the subject of employment – entails the risk that national regulations will be cancelled out by extensive importing? There is a risk that small bookshops will disappear, especially in the countryside and in smaller towns, and that with it, accessibility will decrease. My second question to you concerns the key significance of cultural integration, as is also included in the preamble to the oral questions. I actually feel that this aspect is given too little consideration. Cultural integration which transcends national borders is restricted if the fixed book price were to be scrapped and it is of particular importance to promote it in countries which share the same language. I think that fixed book prices are exactly the right instrument in this case. I fully agree with the ladies and gentlemen. The rules which are being drafted now should not be a hotchpotch. Each country is coming up with something but it would be preferable to find better solutions for this. I would like to urge you too to take swift action. This is a very long-winded affair. In my own profession, I have experienced exactly that for years and years. I think the time is right to take some decisions. Thirdly, I would like to express my concern regarding these detours because do you not think that because of these detours, it is easy to undermine the fixed book price from other Member States in the same linguistic region and that it is not a very effective means of safeguarding the special value of the book as a cultural object and the special significance of the book market for culture? These are three points which I would like to highlight. I believe that the consumer is not at all interested in lower prices. The consumer wants quality which should be sound and widely available.

Political group: ELDR