A4-0370/98

Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation (Culture 2000 programme) (COM(98)0266 - C4-0335/98 - 98/0169(COD))

This proposal was approved with the following amendments:

(Amendment 1)

Title

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Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation (Culture 2000 programme)

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Proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural

policy (Culture 2000 programme)

(Amendment 2)

Recital 1a (new)

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(1a) Whereas the fundamental objective of this framework programme is to enshrine the cultural dimension as the heart and driving force of the process of European integration;

(Amendment 3)

Recital 1b (new)

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(1b) Whereas the framework programme is intended to create conditions for a single market in culture;

(Amendment 4)

Recital 2

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(2) Whereas culture tends to expand beyond its traditional boundaries and into the social and economic spheres; whereas, for that reason, it has an important role to play in meeting the new challenges facing the Community, such as globalization, the information society, social cohesion and the creation of employment;

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(2)

Whereas culture is both an economic factor and a factor in social integration and citizenship and an affirmation of identity vis-à-vis third parties and whereas, for that reason, it plays an important role in meeting the new challenges facing the Community, such as globalization, the information society, social cohesion and the creation of employment;

(Amendment 5)

Recital 5

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(5) Whereas the Treaty confers responsibility on the European Union for creating an ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe and for contributing to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States, while respecting their national and regional diversity and at the same time bringing the common cultural heritage to the fore;

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(5)

Whereas the Treaty confers responsibility on the European Union for creating an ever-closer union among the peoples of Europe and for contributing to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States, while respecting their national and regional diversity and at the same time bringing the common cultural heritage to the fore; whereas special attention must be devoted to safeguarding the position of Europe's small cultures and less widely spoken languages;

(Amendment 6)

Recital 7

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(7) Whereas, to bring to life the cultural area common to the European people, it is essential to encourage creative activities, promote cultural heritage with a European dimension, encourage mutual awareness of the culture and history of the peoples of Europe, and support cultural exchanges with a view to improving the dissemination of knowledge and stimulating cooperation and creative activities;

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(7)

Whereas, to bring to life the cultural area common to the European people, it is essential to encourage creative activities, promote cultural heritage with a European dimension, encourage mutual awareness of the cultures, languages and history of the peoples of Europe, and support cultural exchanges with a view to improving the dissemination of knowledge and stimulating cooperation and creative activities;

(Amendment 7)

Recital 9

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(9) Whereas the Kaleidoscope, Ariane and Raphael cultural programmes set out, respectively, in Decision No 719/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(5) in Decision No 2085/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(6) and in Decision No 2228/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council(7) marked the first positive stage in the implementation of Community action on culture; whereas, however, the Community's cultural endeavours must be simplified and reinforced;

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(5) OJ L 99, 20.4.1996, p. 20.

(6) OJ L 291, 24.10.1997, p. 26.

(7) OJ L 305, 8.11.1997, p. 31.

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(9)

Whereas the Kaleidoscope(5), Ariane(6) and Raphael(7) cultural programmes marked the first positive stage in the implementation of Community action on culture; whereas, however, the Community's cultural endeavours must be simplified and reinforced on the basis of the results of the evaluation and the achievements of the above-mentioned programmes;

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(5) Decision No 719/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council (OJ L 99, 20.4.1996, p. 20).

(6) Decision No 2085/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. (OJ L 291, 24.10.1997, p. 26)

(7) Decision No 2228/97/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. (OJ L 305, 8.11.1997, p. 31)

(Amendment 8)

Recital 10

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(10) Whereas, in accordance with the Commission's communication 'Agenda 2000", the effectiveness of measures at Community level must be increased, notably by concentrating the resources available for internal policies - including cultural action - in such a way that they are not dissipated on measures which would not be able to make a significant impact; whereas the Community's cultural action must consequently lead to the implementation, within the cultural area common to the European people, of projects with a genuine Community dimension, visible to the people and having a real impact;

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(10)

Whereas, in accordance with the Commission's communication 'Agenda 2000", the effectiveness of measures at Community level must be increased, notably by concentrating the resources available for internal policies, including cultural action;

(Amendment 9)

Recital 11a (new)

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(11a) Whereas the Community's cultural activities must take account of the specific nature, and hence the specific needs, of each cultural area;

(Amendment 10)

Recital 13a (new)

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(13a) Whereas this programme, which seeks to support cultural creative work the, preservation of the cultural heritage and cultural cooperation at European level, will not be completely effective unless it is accompanied by concrete measures to resolve the problems arising from the existence of obstacles and disparities between Member States in the fiscal, social or intellectual property fields, and whereas an in-depth vertical study should be carried out on each area of cultural production (particularly the music and publishing industries) touching on all the different problems encountered in each sector, particularly the matters of lower taxation for cultural products (including discs and musical instruments) and of strengthening intellectual property rights;

(Amendment 11)

Recital 14

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(14) Whereas, in accordance with the subsidiarity and proportionality principles established by Article 3b of the Treaty, the objectives of the action envisaged, namely the setting-up of a single instrument for the financing and programming of cultural cooperation, cannot be adequately attained by the Member States and may therefore, by reason of the scale or effects of the action, be better attained at Community level; whereas this Decision limits itself to the minimum required for the attainment of those objectives and does not go beyond what is necessary to that end;

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(14)

Whereas, in accordance with the subsidiarity and proportionality principles established by Article 3b of the Treaty, the objectives of the action envisaged, namely the setting-up of a single instrument for the financing and programming of cultural policy, cannot be adequately attained by the Member States and may therefore, by reason of the scale or effects of the action, be better attained at Community level; whereas this Decision limits itself to the minimum required for the attainment of those objectives and does not go beyond what is necessary to that end;

(Amendment 12)

Article 1(b)

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(b) creativity, the trans-national dissemination of culture and the movement of artists and their works;

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(b) support for creativity, the protection of artists and their rights, the trans-national dissemination of culture and artists' works and specific assistance to young creative artists;

(Amendment 13)

Article 1(fa) (new)

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(fa) improved access to and participation in culture for a wider audience;

(Amendment 14)

Article 1(fb) (new)

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(fb) explicit recognition of culture as an economic factor and as a factor in social integration and citizenship and the affirmation of identity vis-à-vis third parties;

(Amendment 15)

Article 2

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The objectives listed in Article 1 shall be achieved by the following means:

(a) integrated projects covered by structured, multiannual cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) major projects with a European and/or international dimension;

(c) specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

The projects and their implementing measures are described in the Annex.

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The objectives

of this programme referred to in Article 1 and specified in the Annex, in accordance with the specific needs of each cultural sector, shall be implemented by the following activities, whose operational content and implementing procedures are described in the Annex:

A. VERTICAL MEASURES

Activity 1 - Activity in the field of the performing arts (theatre and dance);

Activity 2 - Activity in the field of music;

Activity 3 - Activity in the field of plastic, applied and visual arts;

Activity 4 - Activity in the field of cultural heritage;

Activity 5 - Activity in the field of literature (books, reading and translation);

Activity 6 - Activity relating to other forms of artistic expression.

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B. HORIZONTAL MEASURES

Activity 7 - Synergies;

Activity 8 - Joint activities.

Activity 9 - Measures to support projects of major and/or symbolic importance.

(Amendment 16)

Article 3, 1st paragraph

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The finance for implementing the 'Culture 2000" programme for the period referred to in Article 1 shall be ECU 167 million.

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The finance for implementing

the operational aspects of the 'Culture 2000" programme for the period referred to in Article 1 shall be ECU 250 million.

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This amount may be revised, by not more than 20%, in the context of the annual budgetary conciliation procedure.

(Amendment 17)

Article 4

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Implementation

The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the 'Culture 2000" programme.

The Commission shall be assisted by an Advisory Committee made up of representatives of the Member States and chaired by the representative of the Commission.

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Implementation

and cooperation with the Member States

The Commission shall be responsible for the implementation of the Community activities which form part of the 'Culture 2000' programme in accordance with the Annex.

It shall consult cultural operators and the relevant organizations in the cultural field acting at European level, and shall inform the Committee referred to in Article 4a of their opinions.

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The Commission representative shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft, within a time-limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

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The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall take the measures described in the Annex to permit the achievements under the first generation of cultural programmes, Kaleidoscope, Raphael and Ariane, to be built upon.

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The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes.

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the opinions delivered by the Committee. It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

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The Member States shall take the necessary measures to provide coordination, organisation and follow-up at national level for the implementation of this programme, involving all the parties concerned with culture in accordance with national practice.

The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall be responsible for the smooth transition from the activities carried out under the earlier cultural programmes (Kaleidoscope, Ariane, Raphael) to those to be carried out under this programme.

(Amendment 18)

Article 4a (new)

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Article 4a

Committee

1. The Commission shall be assisted by a committee comprising a representative of each Member State and chaired by the Commission representative. The Committee shall be assisted by a sub-committee comprising a cultural expert or adviser for each Member State for each artistic sector concerned. Each Member State shall submit to the Commission a list of national experts or advisers in each artistic sector (music, theatre and dance, plastic arts, heritage, literature). The Commission shall be responsible for coordination between the committee and the sub-committee.

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2. The Commission representative shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken concerning:

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(a) implementing arrangements for the programme;

(b) selection arrangements and criteria for the various types of activity described in the Annex;

(c) the financial support which will be provided by the Community (amounts, duration, distribution and recipients);

(d) arrangements for the monitoring and evaluation of this programme, together with the conclusions of the evaluation reports envisaged in Article 6 and any readjustments to this programme arising therefrom.

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3. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on this draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter. The opinion shall be adopted by the majority provided for in Article 148(2) of the Treaty for the adoption of decisions the Council is required to take on a proposal from the Commission. During votes in the Committee, the votes of the Member States' representatives shall be weighted in accordance with the aforementioned article. The chairman shall not take part in the vote.

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4. The Commission may consult the Committee on any other matter relating to the implementation of this programme.

In that case, the Commission representative shall submit to the Committee a draft of the measures to be taken. The Committee shall deliver its opinion on the draft within a time limit which the chairman may lay down according to the urgency of the matter, if necessary by taking a vote.

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The opinion shall be recorded in the minutes; in addition, each Member State shall have the right to request that its position be recorded in the minutes.

The Commission shall take the utmost account of the Committee's opinion. It shall inform the Committee of the manner in which its opinion has been taken into account.

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The Commission, in accordance with interinstitutional procedures and agreements, shall inform the Committee, in the context of the financial support provided by the Community, of all the projects it intends to finance under this Decision. The European Parliament shall receive the same information from the Commission.

(Amendment 19)

Article 5a (new)

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Article 5a

A. Coherence and complementarity

The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall be responsible for the overall coherence of this programme with other Community policies and activities.

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To this end there shall be coordination between the implementation of this programme and other Community cultural activities in the following fields: audiovisual media, education, professional training, youth, completion of the internal market, the information society, the environment, tourism, consumer protection, SMEs, social and regional policies, and employment.

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The Commission shall be responsible for effective liaison between this programme and cultural programmes and activities in the context of the Community's external relations.

The Commission and the Member States shall ensure coherence and complementarity between activities carried out under this programme and Community activities under the Structural Funds in application of Article 128(4) of the Treaty.

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The Commission shall produce, before the end of the year 2000, a recommendation as to how the Structural Funds are to be used in the policy in support of cultural activities.

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B. European cultural contact points

The Commission, in cooperation with the Member States, shall organise and strengthen the mutual exchange and dissemination of information useful for the implementation of the 'Culture 2000' programme, particularly by the creation of 'European cultural contact points' at national and regional level, responsible for

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- promoting the 'Culture 2000' programme,

- facilitating access to the programme for, and encouraging participation in its activities by, as many professionals and operators in the cultural field as possible, thanks to a genuine dissemination of information,

- ensuring a permanent link with the various support bodies in the Member States with a view to ensuring that activities under this 'Culture 2000' programme complement national support measures,

- ensuring contacts and interaction at regional level between operators participating in the framework programme and those participating in other Community programmes.

(Amendment 20)

Article 6

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Evaluation

During 2002 the Commission shall present to Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions a detailed assessment report on the results of the 'Culture 2000" programme, having regard to its objectives, and accompanied if necessary by a proposal for the amendment of this Decision.

On completion of the 'Culture 2000" programme, the Commission shall present a report on its implementation to the European Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions.

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Monitoring and Evaluation

1. The Commission, after consulting the Committee, shall submit to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions:

- no later than 31 December 2002, a detailed interim assessment report on the results of the implementation of this programme, accompanied where necessary by any adjustments to the programme,

- no later than 31 December 2005, an ex-post evaluation report.

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These reports shall emphasise in particular the creation of added value, particularly of a cultural nature, and the socio-economic consequences of the Community's financial support.

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2. This programme shall be monitored on an ongoing basis by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States.

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3. It shall be subject to regular evaluation by the Commission in cooperation with the Member States. The purpose of this evaluation shall be to assess the effectiveness of measures implemented in relation to the objectives set out in Article 1.

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This evaluation shall also relate to complementarity between measures carried out under this programme and those under other Community programmes, particularly those supported by the Structural Funds

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4. The Member States shall submit to the Commission, no sooner than 31 December 2002 and no later than 30 June 2005, reports on the implementation and impact of this programme.

(Amendment 21)

Annex, title (new)

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Activities and implementing measures for the 'Culture 2000' Programme

(Amendment 22)

Annex, introduction

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The aim of the 'Culture 2000" programme is to encourage creative activity and the knowledge and dissemination of the culture of

the European peoples, notably in the field of music, literature, the performing arts, the fixed and movable heritage, and the new forms of cultural expression, by fostering cooperation between cultural organizations and operators and the cultural institutions of the Member States, and by supporting measures which, by their European scope and character, promote the spread of European cultures both inside and outside the Union.

The Commission will regularly define the priorities necessary for the implementation of the programme.

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The aim of the 'Culture 2000" programme is to encourage creative activity and the knowledge and dissemination of the culture of

the European peoples through a sectoral approach which, by its flexibility, will encourage the realisation of synergies between the field of cultural heritage, the various artistic fields, and new forms of expression. The programme seeks to encourage cooperation at national and regional level between cultural organizations and operators and the cultural institutions of the Member States, to promote the flowering of cultural creation by ensuring the viability of artistic projects, and to support measures which, by their European scope and character, promote the spread of European cultures both inside and outside the Union.

(Amendment 23)

Annex (I)(to replace Annex, Section I)

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I. Description of measures:

This annex provides for two principal types of measure:

A. Vertical measures (1-6), which correspond to the sectoral approach taking account of the differing needs of each cultural field, and comprise:

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Activity 1 - Activity in the field of the performing arts (theatre and dance), to receive approximately 9% of the programme's financial package;

Activity 2 - Activity in the field of music, to receive approximately 16% of the programme's financial package;

Activity 3 - Activity in the field of plastic, applied and visual arts; to receive approximately 7% of the programme's financial package;

Activity 4 - Activity in the field of the cultural heritage (RAPHAEL), to receive approximately 35% of the programme's financial package ;

Activity 5 - Activity in the field of literature, books, reading and translation (ARIANE), to receive approximately 9% of the programme's financial package;

Activity 6 - Activity relating to other forms of artistic expression, to receive approximately 4% of the programme's financial package.

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B. Horizontal measures (7, 8 and 9) which comprise:

Activity 7 - Synergies: trans-sectoral activities, to receive approximately 5% of the programme's financial package;

Activity 8 - Joint activities with other Community programmes, to receive approximately 5% of the programme's financial package;

Activity 9 - Activity in support of projects of major and/or symbolic importance, to receive approximately 10% of the programme's financial package.

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The objectives of each of the above-mentioned activities will be implemented, inter alia, by means of two types of measure, described in Section II.

As regards support for integrated projects covered by structured cultural cooperation agreements, consideration could be given to proposals that are multi-annual allowing a larger time frame to achieve their objectives.

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Vertical measures

Activity 1 - Activity in the field of the performing arts (theatre and dance);

This activity seeks to promote artistic creation in the field of the performing arts, more particularly in the theatre and dance sectors. The specific objectives of this activity are the following:

- to develop exchanges and cooperation between the various operators in the performing arts field,

- to facilitate the movement of creations, works and artists within Europe,

- to develop training and further education methods, particularly by means of greater mobility for teachers and students in this sector,

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- to promote European creations in the performing arts by encouraging activities to promote European works and artists in this field in the rest of the world, and a policy of exchange with and reception of other world cultures;

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- to encourage initiatives which employ creations in the theatre and dance sectors as a means of social integration.

The above-mentioned objectives shall be implemented by means of the following measures:

(a) support for integrated projects covered by structured cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) support for specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

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Activity 2 - Activity in the field of music;

This activity seeks to encourage creation and dissemination of European music in Europe and the rest of the world, and in particular :

- to develop exchanges and cooperation between the various operators in the musical sector;

- to facilitate the movement of creations, works and artists in Europe;

- to develop training and further education methods, particularly by means of increased mobility for teachers and students in the musical field;

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- to promote musical creation at European level by raising public awareness of the various forms of musical expression and facilitating public access to them;

- promoting musical creation by encouraging activities to promote European music and repertoires in the world, and a policy of exchange with and reception of other world cultures and creations;

- to encourage initiatives which use musical creation as a means of social integration.

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The above-mentioned objectives shall be implemented by means of the following measures:

(a) support for integrated projects covered by structured cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) support for specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

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Activity 3 - Activity in the field of plastic, applied and visual arts;

This activity seeks to promote artistic creation in the field of the plastic, applied or visual arts such as painting, sculpture, engraving, architecture, photography and design. Its specific objectives are:

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- to develop exchanges and cooperation between the various operators in the plastic arts sector;

- to facilitate the movement of creations, works and artists in Europe;

- to develop training and further education methods, particularly by means of increased mobility for teachers and students in this field;

- to promote European creation in the field of the plastic arts by encouraging activities to promote European works and artists in this field in the rest of the world, and a policy of exchange with and reception of other world cultures;

- to encourage initiatives which use creation in the plastic, visual and applied arts as a means of social integration.

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The above-mentioned objectives shall be implemented by means of the following measures:

(a) support for integrated projects covered by structured cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) support for specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

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Activity 4 - Activity in the field of the cultural heritage;

This activity seeks to encourage cooperation for the protection, conservation and enhancement of the European cultural heritage.

This activity covers in particular the movable and immovable heritage (museums and collections, libraries, archives, including photographic, film and sound archives), the archaeological and underwater heritage, the architectural heritage, groups of cultural objects and sites, and cultural landscapes (groups of cultural and natural objects). More particularly, the specific objectives of this activity are the following:

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- to encourage the conservation and restoration of the European cultural heritage by aid to development, restoration and promotion;

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- to encourage the development of transnational cooperation between institutions and/or operators in the field of the cultural heritage,so as to help pool know-how and develop the best possible practices in the field of heritage conservation;

- to improve access to the cultural heritage in its European dimension and encourage the active participation of the public at large, particularly children, young people, under-privileged persons and people living in the EU's rural or peripheral areas;

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- to encourage mobility and further training of professionals in the field of cultural heritage;

- to encourage transnational cooperation for the development of new technologies and innovative measures in various heritage sectors and in the conservation of traditional trades and techniques;

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- to take the heritage dimension into consideration in other Community programmes or policies;

- to encourage cooperation with third countries and with the relevant international organisations.

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The above-mentioned objectives shall be implemented by means of the following measures:

(a) support for integrated projects covered by structured cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) support for specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

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Activity 5 - Activity in the field of literature, books, reading and translation.

The specific objectives of this activity are:

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- to promote books and reading, particularly among young people, children and the under-privileged;

- to encourage cooperation among the Member States in the field of books, reading and translation;

- to support and complement their activities in this field by contributing to the flowering of their cultures while respecting their national and regional diversity;

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- to increase the knowledge and dissemination of literary creations and the history of the peoples of Europe through aid for the translation of literary, dramatic and reference works (especially those in the lesser-used European languages and the languages of central and eastern European countries) and for the further training of professionals working in the sector;

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The above-mentioned objectives shall be implemented, inter alia, by means of the following measures:

(a) support for integrated projects covered by structured cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) support for specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

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Activity 6 - Activity relating to other forms of artistic expression.

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The objective of this activity is to promote artistic creation in the field of other forms of artistic expression (multimedia as a form of artistic expression, urban art, etc.).Its specific objectives are:

- to develop exchanges and cooperation between the various operators;

- to facilitate the movement of creations, works and artists in Europe;

- to develop training and further education methods, particularly by means of increased mobility for teachers and students in this field;

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- to promote European creation by encouraging activities aimed at promoting European works and artists in the rest of the world, and a policy of exchange with and reception of other world cultures;

- to encourage initiatives which use creation as a means of social integration.

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The above-mentioned objectives shall be implemented by means of the following measures:

(a) support for integrated projects covered by structured cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) support for specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

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Horizontal measures

Activity 7 - Synergies

This activity seeks to encourage and promote the association of various different disciplines, including in particular trans-sectoral activities;

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The above-mentioned objectives shall be implemented by means of the following measures:

(a) support for integrated projects covered by structured cultural cooperation agreements;

(b) support for specific, innovative and/or experimental projects within the Community and/or in non-member countries.

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Activity 8 - Joint activities

By means of this activity, Community support may be given to joint activities between measures relating to cultural policy and Community programmes and measures, particularly in the field of education, vocational training and youth. This coordination, which makes it possible to widen access to culture, could be implemented by joint calls for proposals.

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Activity 9 - Activities supporting projects of major and/or symbolic importance.

These activities of major size and scope help to enhance awareness of belonging to a single community, and to increase awareness of diversity and cultural pluralism in Europe. These projects include:

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- European prizes in the various cultural spheres: literature, translation, architecture, etc.

- support for projects submitted by the appropriate authorities of the Member States and involving the conservation and safeguarding of the cultural heritage which can be described as 'European heritage laboratories'.

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- the organisation of innovative cultural events with a major symbolic dimension, accessible to all and capable of underlining the link between education, artistic activities and culture, such as the 'intellectual Olympics'.

(Amendment 24)

Annex (II)(to replace Annex, Section II)

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II. Description of implementing measures

The objectives of the activities described in Section I will be implemented by means of the following measures:

1. Support for integrated activities in the context of structured transnational cultural cooperation agreements

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The Commission shall encourage closer relations and joint working, particularly by the networking of operators, cultural bodies, cultural institutions involving in particular professionals in different Member States with a view to realising structured cultural projects both within and outside the Community. This measure relates to significant quality projects on a large scale and with a European dimension, involving at least five States participating in the Culture 2000 programme. The 'cultural cooperation agreements' proposed in this way for up to three years shall comprise some or all of the following activities:

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- co-productions of works and other large-scale cultural events (e.g. exhibitions, festivals, etc.) making them accessible to as many EU citizens as possible;

- cultural events, and enhancement of cultural sites and monuments within the Community with a view to raising awareness of European culture;

- activities aimed at developing further education and mobility for professionals in the cultural field (artists, restorers, museum curators, etc.) both in academic and practical terms, including the use of new technology;

- study and research projects, public awareness campaigns, activities for teaching and the dissemination of knowledge, seminars, congresses, meetings on cultural topics of European importance.

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After the opinion of the Committee referred to in Article 4a of this Decision has been heard, Community support shall be granted for the realisation of 'cultural cooperation agreements'. It shall be intended to cover not only part of the funding of the project, but also expenses relating to the establishment of lasting cooperation, which may be multiannual, in a legal form recognised in one of the Member States of the Union.

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In order for the agreement to be eligible, the activities it covers must involve operators from at least five States participating in the 'Culture 2000' programme.

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Community support shall not exceed 60% of the budget for 'cultural cooperation agreements'. It shall not exceed ECU 200 000 per year.

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Those responsible for multiannual 'cultural cooperation agreements' receiving Community support for more than one year must submit to the Committee at the end of each year a summary of activities undertaken and of the expenditure on each activity, in order for the Community support to be carried over for the complete period of the project.

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2. Support for specific activities

The Community shall support annually events and projects carried out in partnership or in the form of networks. These projects, which shall be innovative and experimental, shall involve operators from at least three States participating in the 'Culture 2000' programme with the goal of:

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- providing European citizens with better access to and greater participation in culture, in their social and regional diversity, including the underprivileged and young people;

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- supporting the creation of multimedia tools able to meet the needs of different kinds of public, so as to make European creative work and the cultural heritage more visible and more accessible;

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- encouraging cooperation between cultural and socio-cultural agents working in the field of social integration, and with young people in particular;

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- promoting the television broadcasting of cultural events using the new technology of the information society, including analogic and/or digital cross-border television broadcasting.

(Amendment 25)

Annex (III)(to replace Annex, Section III)

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III. Priorities in selection criteria

(a) European added value

(b) Number of fields affected by trans-sectoral projects (synergies).

(c) Number of creations/items of cultural heritage/other items affected by the project (integrated activity).

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(d) Viability of the activity/project/network particularly in terms of:

- economic impact (creation of jobs),

- socio-cultural impact (improving public access to and participation in culture),

- environmental impact (promoting sustainable development).

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Additional encouragement will be given to projects which:

- include training, further education or vocational training in the field of the arts and culture, particularly for young people,

- involve countries which are candidates for joining the EU.

- encourage the transfer of knowledge whereby recipients will be enabled to build on existing expertise and knowledge.

(Amendment 26)

Annex (IV)

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(Amendment 27)

Annex (V)

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Legislative resolution embodying Parliament's opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing a single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation (Culture 2000 programme) (COM(98)0266 - C4-0335/98 - 98/0169(COD))(Codecision procedure: first reading)

The European Parliament,

- having regard to the Commission proposal to Parliament and the Council, COM(98)0266 - 98/0169(COD) ((OJ C 211, 7.7.1998, p. 18.)),

- having regard to Articles 189b(2) and 128 of the EC Treaty, pursuant to which the Commission submitted the proposal to Parliament (C4-0335/98),

- having regard to Rule 58 of its Rules of Procedure,

- having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education and the Media and the opinion of the Committee on Budgets (A4-0370/98),

1. Approves the Commission proposal, subject to Parliament's amendments;

2. Calls on the Commission to alter its proposal accordingly, pursuant to Article 189a(2) of the EC Treaty;

3. Calls on the Council to incorporate Parliament's amendments in the common position that it adopts in accordance with Article 189b(2) of the EC Treaty;

4. Should the Council intend to depart from the text approved by Parliament, calls on the Council to notify Parliament and requests that the conciliation procedure be initiated;

5. Points out that the Commission is required to submit to Parliament any modification it may intend to make to its proposal as amended by Parliament;

6. Instructs its President to forward this opinion to the Council and Commission.