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,' *ty~2r COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 
- v ;-!•*• *-î - • Brussels, 15.12 1995 
COM(95) 725 final 
95/0026 (SYN) 
,\j, ^ Re-examined proposal for a 
COUNCIL DECISION 
ON A TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR PROFESSIONALS IN THE 
EUROPEAN AUDIOVISUAL PROGRAMME INDUSTRY 
(MEDIA It - TRAINING) 
1996-2000 
(presented by the Commission pursuant to Article 189 c (d) 
of the EC Treaty) 
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EXPLANATORY MEMORANDUM 
On 10 July 1995 the Council adopted a common position with a view to adopting a 
Council Decision on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the 
European audiovisual programme industry (Media II - Training) (doc. 8427/2/95 Rev. 2 
Audio 17 Pro-coop-16). 
Under the cooperation procedure (Article 189c of the EC Treaty) this common position 
was forwarded to Parliament, which proposed 11 amendments at its plenary sitting on 15 
November 1995. 
(a) The Commission has accepted the following amendments in full or in part. 
Amendment 1 (Recital 26a) (new). The coordination of Media II (training) activities 
with those of other international organizations, such as the Council of Europe would be 
desirable. The Commission has adopted a more concise wording than that proposed by 
Parliament. Reference to the associated countries of central and eastern Europe is already 
made in recital 26 and Article 5 of the Council's common position. 
Amendment 2 (Article 2(1), 2nd indent). The explicit reference to the writing of 
screenplays and the fact that the programme supplements basic training in the audiovisual 
professions fills out and complements the two priorities set out in the common position 
(management and new technologies). "Audiovisual programmes" is preferred to 
"multimedia" as corresponding more closely to the aims of Media II. 
Amendment 3 (Article 2(2)). The establishment of networks between partners involved 
in vocational training and training of instructors is a key component of the programme 
which is set out in the Annex to the common position. It is therefore logical to include 
a specifc reference in the instrument. The Commission's wording is more concise than 
that proposed by Parliament. 
Amendment 5 (Article 3). The 50% ceiling on the Community contribution to funding 
training activities set out in the common position would seriously weaken the innovative 
possibilities of thé programme. The Commission accepts Parliament's amendment which 
restores the ceiling to 75% as initially provided in the Commission proposal. With 
respect to the second part of this amendment relating to the financial arrangements, the 
Commission notes Parliament's proposal (ECU 58 million as against ECU 45 million in 
the common position) but points out that the inclusion of a reference amount in the 
instrument is a unilateral position adopted by the Council. 
Amendment 6 (Article 6(4), new second subparagraph). The Commission accepts that 
the mid-term evaluation report on the programme should highlight the added value and 
social and economic impact derived from the Community financial support. 
A 
Amendment 10 (Annex, point 2.2. second subparagraph). This refers to the 75% ceiling 
on funding proposed in Amendment 5 and accepted by the Commission. 
(b) The Commission accepts the spirit of the following amendments but considers 
they are already covered in the common position. 
Amendment 4 (Article 2. first paragraph (2a)(new). The Member States' ability to draw 
on know-how corresponding to the needs of the industry and offering reasonable 
opportunities to those who wish to obtain training is covered in Article 1 of the common 
position, which, in accordance with Article 127(1) of the Treaty stipulates that the 
MEDIA II Programme (Training) "supports and supplements action taken by the Member 
States in full recognition of the responsibility of those States for the content and 
organization of vocational training programmes." 
Amendment 7 (Annex, point 1.1) (new). Exchanges of know-how are mentioned in 
Article 22 of the common position. Training in writing is covered in Parliament's 
Amendment 2, which the Commission accepts. 
Amendment 8 (Annex, point 1.2a) (new). Recognition of the European cultural 
dimension and market is explicitly referred to in Recitals 15, 16 and 17, and in the first 
paragraph of Annex (1.1) to the common position. 
Amendment 9 (Annex, point 2.1. first subparagraph). Recital 22 of the common position 
contains a specific reference to equal opportunities, a fundamental principle in the policies 
of the European Union. 
Amendment 11. The access of graduates of vocational training organizations to the 
European audiovisual industry is provided for in Article 2(2) and in the Annex to the 
common position, points 1.1 second indent and 1.2 third indent . 
PARLIAMENT AMENDMENTS ACCEPTED IN FULL OR IN PART BY THE 
COMMISSION 
Common position Reexamined proposal 
Recital 26a (new)1 
Whereas the activities to be carried out 
under the programme should be 
coordinated with international 
organizations, such as the Council of 
Europe. 
Article 2(1), second indent2 
utilization and development of 
new technologies for the 
production of programmes with 
high commercial and artistic 
value. utilization and development of 
new technologies for the 
production of audiovisual 
programmes with high 
commercial and artistic value, 
supplementing basic training in 
the sound and image professions. 
writing of screenplays. 
Article 2(2)3 
(2) to encourage cooperation and 
exchanges of knowhôw between 
partners involved in training: 
training institutions, the 
professional sector and 
businesses. (2) to encourage cooperation and 
exchanges of know-how by 
establishing networks between 
partners involved.in training: 
training institutions, the 
professional sector and 
businesses, and by developing the 
training of instructors. 
Article 34 
Recipients of Community support 
involved in implementing the measures 
laid down in the Annçx must provide a 
significant proportion of the funding (at 
least 50%). In duly justified exceptional 
cases this percentage may be reduced to 
as low as 25%. Recipients of Community support 
involved in implementing the measures 
laid down in the Annex must provide a 
significant proportion of the funding (at 
least25%). 
Community funding shall be determined 
in relation to the cost and nature of each 
measure envisaged. 
The financial reference amount for 
implementing the programme for the 
period referred to in Article 1 shall be 
ECU 45 million. 
The annual appropriations shall be 
authorized by the budgetary authority in 
accordance with the current financial 
perspective. 
Article 6(4), second subparagraph (new)3 
The report shall in particularshow the ? 
added value generated on the basis of 
the financial support provided by the 
Community and the social and economic 
impact 
Annex, point 2.2, second subparagraph 
2.2 Funding of up to 75% of total 
training costs will be within a 
'framework of joint funding with public 
and/or private partners. 
PARLIAMENT AMENDMENTS NOT INCLUDED 
IN THERE-EXAMINED PROPOSAL 
Amendment 4 (Article 2 (2a) (new) 
"2a. to ensure that together with the initatives taken by the audivisual industry, a skill 
base adequate to the industry's needs and offering reasonable opportunities to those 
wishing to enrol on training courses is established in each Member State." 
Amendment 5 (Article 3, 2nd, 3rd arid 4th indents) 
"Exceptions to this principle mav be considered in order to encourage cooperation and 
exchanges of know-how between the partners involved in training. 
Community funding shall be determined in relation to the cost and nature of each 
measure envisaged. The ceilings shall be laid down in the Annex. 
The imdget for the implementation of the programme shall be ECU 58 million. 
The budgetary authority shall determine the annual appropriations, taking into account the 
principles of sound financial management referred to in Article 2 of the Financial 
Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European Communities." 
Amendment 7 (Annex, point 1.1) (new) 
" 1.1 Training in production, direction and writing 
This training should pave the wav for exchanges of know-how and experience between 
audiovisual industry professionals (producers, directors and screenplay writersV' 
Amendment 8 (Annex, point 1.2a) (new) 
" 1.2a Training to develop a European cultural perspective 
This training shall be aimed at developing the capacity of professionals to understand the 
European cultural dimension of audiovisual works so that thev can develop their ability 
to address a European, not merely a national, audience. 
Amendment 9 (Annex, point 2.1, first subparagraph) 
"2.1 In implementing me programme, the Commission will work closely with the 
Member States. It will also consult the partners concerned. It will ensure that the 
professionals participating in the programme reflect their balanced selection, according 
to criteria guaranteeing equal opportunities (and under detailed monitoring and evaluation 
procedures) and that their participation reflects adequately Europe's cultural diversity." 
Amendment 11 (Annex, point 1.2b) (new) 
"1.2b. Continuing training via practical participation in production protects. 
Professionals should be given the means to facilitate entry into the European audiovisual 
industry for graduates of professional training institutes. 
The operations will cover the following: ; 
promoting programmes and training institutes in which students cooperate with 
European audiovisual firms: 
promoting the networking of training measures and the mobility of graduates of 
audiovisual training institutes bv carrying out practical work with firms in other 
Member States." 
NOTES 
1. Parliament amendment 1: 
"Whereas the rules, programmes and investment incentives should be coordinated 
with institutions such as the Council of Europe and Unesco, and special 
consideration should be given to the interests of the countries of Central and 
Eastern Europe." 
2. Parliament amendment 2: 
• "- utilization and development of new multimedia, cinema and television 
technologies for the production of programmes with high commercial and 
artistic added value, supplementing basic training in the audiovisual 
professions; 
writing of screenplays and exchanges of information and experience in the 
areas of linear and interactive narration." 
3. Parliament amendment 3: 
"(2) To encourage cooperation and exchange of knowhow by establishing 
networks between partners involved in training: training institutions, the 
professional sector and businesses, and by developing teacher training, taking into 
account those aspects likely to encourage a better understanding of audiovisual 
language and stimulate creativity and taking into account appropriate links with 
all levels of the education system." 
These networks must give priority to exchanges of persons in order to improve 
knowledge of the market and firms working in the cinematographic industry in 
Europe." 
4. Parliament amendment 5: 
"Recipients of Community support involved in implementing the measures laid 
down in the Annex must provide a significant proportion of the funding (at least 
25%). Exceptions to this principle may be considered in order to encourage 
cooperation and exchanges of knowhow between the partners involved in training. 
Community funding shall be determined in relation to the cost and nature of each 
measure envisaged. The ceilings shall be laid down in the Annex. 
The budget for the implementation of the programme shall be ECU 58 million. 
Thé budgetary authority shall determine the annual appropriations, taking into 
account the principles of sound financial management referred to in Article 2 of 
the Financial Regulation applicable to the general budget of the European 
Communities." 
5. Parliament amendment 6: 
"This report shall in particular show the added value created on the basis of the 
financial support provided by the Community and the impact on the creation of 
jobs." 


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COM(95) 725 final 
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