Opinion on the proposal for a European Parliament and Council Decision establishing a support programme in the field of books and reading - Ariane () (96/C 100/09)

On 28 November 1994, the Council decided to consult the Committee of the Regions, under Article 128 of the Treaty, on the above-mentioned proposal.

On 5 December 1994, the Committee of the Regions, acting under Article 198c of the Treaty establishing the European Community, decided to draw up an Opinion on the above proposal.

Commission 7 for a Citizens' Europe, Research, Culture, Youth and Consumers was responsible for preparing the Committee's work on this subject. The Rapporteur was Mrs du Granrut.

At its 7th Plenary Session of 20 and 21 April 1995 (meeting of 21 April), the Committee of the Regions adopted the following Opinion.

1. Introduction

1.1. Whereas Article 3(p) of the Treaty on European Union stipulates that the activities of the Community shall include 'a contribution to education and training of quality and to the flowering of the cultures of the Member States`;

1.2. Whereas Article 92(3)(d) states that 'aid to promote culture and heritage conservation where such aid does not affect trading conditions and competition in the Community to an extent that is contrary to the common interest` is compatible with the common market;

1.3. Whereas Article 128 under Title IX provides a specific basis for actions 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;

1.4. Whereas artistic and literary creation, including that in the audiovisual sector, is one of the specific aims of Article 128;

1.5. Whereas in order to contribute to the achievement of these aims, the Council, acting in accordance with the procedure referred to in Article 189b and after consulting the Committee of the Regions, is to adopt by a unanimous vote (i) incentive measures, excluding any harmonization of the laws and regulations of the Member States, and (ii) recommendations;

1.6. Whereas in its communication of 27 July 1994 on European Community action in support of culture, the Commission identified books and reading as priority areas for the implementation of Article 128;

1.7. Having regard to the proposal for a Decision providing the Community [for a five-year period ()] from 1996 with an action programme to promote knowledge and dissemination of European artistic and literary creation, notably by means of translation (Ariane programme),

1.8. The Committee of the Regions welcomes the Commission's proposal for European Community action in support of culture.

2. General comments

2.1. The Committee would recall that the regions represent a forum for, and a driving force behind, culture and that EU action must not be to the detriment of cultural identities and specificities, but instead foster contact between cultures and the full development of minority languages. With this in mind, due consideration should be given to the Union's minority languages in implementing the Ariane programme.

The COR is aware of the economic significance of culture which, on account of its diversity and scope, has considerable potential for job creation.

2.2. The COR notes the three priority areas selected for intervention, namely heritage, books/reading, and artistic activities. It also notes the five types of action envisaged, namely enhancement and extension to a wider audience, networks and partnerships, access to culture, research and training, cultural cooperation with third countries and international organizations. The Committee would suggest that historical works be added to the types of work covered.

2.3. The COR is aware of the importance of local and regional factors for culture in the Community. The COR welcomes the opportunity to comment on this new, important area of responsibility, and on the proposals for a Community action programme.

The COR also welcomes the fact that the guiding principles for Community intervention in the cultural field are to be subsidiarity and the requirement that it complement Member States' action. This transpires from the Commission's statement that any Community incentive measures must support and supplement efforts by the Member States, regions and local authorities, while respecting the principle of subsidiarity.

2.4. The COR considers the Ariane programme, which aims to promote the knowledge and dissemination of European literary and dramatic works, to represent an important element in developing and promoting culture within the European Union and fostering literary, artistic and audiovisual creativity. It will also contribute to the extension of the cultural wealth and diversity of the European peoples, fundamental to European identity and membership of the Union.

2.5. The COR approves the Council/Parliament co-decision procedure laid down by Article 128(5), which is to be used for adoption of the Commission's proposals in the field of culture. The mandatory consultation of a new body - the COR - is particularly welcome.

2.6. The COR welcomes the fact that the Ariane programme represents a real advance compared with existing arrangements, and applies the principle of subsidiarity to the dissemination of knowledge. Because of this, clear and specific provisions need to be made for the switch from the pilot project to a multiannual programme, since the EU's action in the sphere of culture should be limited to what is useful. This means helping those carrying out projects, not taking over from them.

2.7. The Committee would recall that the cultural agreements already signed with the countries of Central and Eastern Europe will enable them to be associated with the Ariane programme.

2.8. The COR believes that programmes such as Ariane should be subject to a continual evaluation, enabling the efficacy of EU action in this area to be judged and Europe's wealth of artistic and literary creativity to be measured.

2.9. Since the COR must be consulted on cultural matters, it would ask the Commission to ensure that it receives the inventory of the cultural dimension of the main Community policies concerned, which is to be drawn up by the Commission within one year for transmission to Parliament and the Council. The COR would also like to receive all the appropriate information which is to be provided by the Commission, notably in its work programme and the annual report.

3. Specific comments

3.1. Aims

The COR approves the aims set out in Article 2 of the draft Decision. It is pleased to note the reference to the regional level among those levels responsible for cultural actions.

3.2. Implementation

The COR agrees that any action taken by the various institutions must be complementary. It suggests that the committee referred to in Article 4 of the Kaleidoscope 2000 programme include regional representatives responsible for culture.

3.3. Evaluation of results

The COR urges that it receive, in addition to Parliament and the Council, (i) the report evaluating the results and making any appropriate proposals and (ii) the report to be drawn up at the end of the programme on the application and results.

3.4. Action under the programme

3.4.1. Enhancement and extension

3.4.1.1. Assistance for the translation of contemporary literary works

The COR would repeat the suggestion made under the General comments that works of historical interest be added to the categories covered.

On the technical level, the COR would recall that the Ariane programme does not, simply by removing the language barrier, abolish all the problems involved in distribution - in particular, the cost of publishing and disseminating a translated work. Moreover, the proposal lacks a clear definition of the reference works covered. It fails to specify the rules applicable to translators: qualifications, copyright, etc.

3.4.1.2. Emblematic measures

Aristeion Prize. This prize, the purpose of which is to promote knowledge and dissemination, should be divided into a number of categories according to the type of work translated: literary, dramatic, historical, reference or from a lesser-used language.

3.4.2. Support measures

3.4.2.1. Fostering synergies at European level through networks and the development of partnerships

While taking note of the measures to encourage library networks and hoping that libraries will become real centres of learning and culture, the COR would recall that the provisions of the Directive governing library book loan charges must be observed.

The COR approves the principle of library networks, but would point out that they face the serious problem of the short-lived nature of works, which tends to exclude some quality works and create financial difficulties.

3.4.2.2. Support measures concerned more specifically with making literature more accessible to the public and to young people in particular

The COR supports the aim of raising young people's awareness and encouraging them to read. This should include the publishing of specific works, including books of historical interest and bilingual books.

The Committee emphasizes the need to recognize children's literature as a special area of culture with its own definitions and forms of artistic expression.

It would also underline the importance of making literature accessible to those who on account of a functional handicap or some other reason, are unable to use conventionally-published texts. Alternative forms of publishing, disseminating and distributing literature to those suffering mental or functional handicaps should be facilitated.

Regions should be allowed to apply to host European book fairs.

3.4.2.3. Further training and research

The COR feels that further training for literary translators - usually involving a teaching project - could come within the remit of regional institutions.

The COR hopes that the dissemination of literary works by the 'information highway` will be examined in connection with supplementary action under the terms of Article 128(4), which stipulates that cultural aspects shall be taken into account in Community action under other provisions of the Treaty on European Union.

This could be done under the 'Studies and research` heading, and taken under the Interreg programmes.

3.4.3. Cooperation with non-member countries

The COR approves the plan to open the Ariane programme to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe - a development for which funds should be allotted from the Community budget - and to the other countries mentioned in the programme. It would suggest that the Mediterranean countries be added.

With regard to the financial statement, the COR believes that the programme's success and cost-effectiveness will depend on the means by which translated works are disseminated. It would suggest that translated theatrical works be performed in public and that specific budgetary provision be made for this purpose.

4. Conclusions

The COR reaffirms its overall support for the Ariane programme.

It calls for the categories of work covered to be extended to cover books of historical interest.

It recalls that the action to remove the language barriers to familiarity with literary and dramatic works, a pre-condition for the dissemination of works, must take due account of the circumstances of production and distribution: publishers, book shops, libraries and, for dramatic works, ballet and opera performances. The removal of language barriers should be a positive contribution to better dissemination, whether through emblematic actions such as the Aristeion Prize (sub-divided into a number of categories), or through the new channels of dissemination offered by computerization and telematics.

Moreover, aware of the considerable future importance of the new technologies to those working in the sector, the Committee of the Regions urges that training requirements under the Ariane programme be made eligible for ESF human resources programmes.

In the Committee's view, the production of bilingual books should be encouraged in order to foster language-learning by young people and by other readers.

Since cultural action is fundamental to European identity and Union membership, the Ariane programme must be open to all those peoples who wish to benefit from it, and especially the countries of Central and Eastern Europe.

Lastly, in the interests of the programme's full success, the Committee of the Regions would emphasize that regional and local institutions must have a role in implementing and monitoring the programme. The regions are basic cultural agents, generally responsible for education and training, which are necessarily complementary areas.

Done at Brussels, 21 April 1995.

The Chairman of the Committee of the Regions

Jacques BLANC

() OJ No C 324, 22. 11. 1994, p. 11.

() '... pour une période de cinq ans ...` appears in the French version of Article 1 but not in the English.