WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1814/96 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Deriving the maximum benefit from and rehabilitating the archaeological, artistic and cultural heritage of the Mediterranean area
Date: 1996-07-05
Institutions: European Parliament, MEZZAROMA
Subjects: architectural heritage, association agreement (EU), cultural heritage, heritage protection













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91996E1814

WRITTEN QUESTION No. 1814/96 by Roberto MEZZAROMA to the Commission. Deriving the maximum benefit from and rehabilitating the archaeological, artistic and cultural heritage of the Mediterranean area  


Official Journal C 385 , 19/12/1996 P. 0043 





WRITTEN QUESTION E-1814/96 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission (5 July 1996)Subject: Deriving the maximum benefit from and rehabilitating the archaeological, artistic and cultural heritage of the Mediterranean areaThe conclusions of the Euro-Mediterranean ministerial meeting on the cultural heritage held recently in Bologna highlighted the need for a new Euro-Mediterranean approach contrasting with the hitherto Euro-centric attitude to cultural affairs which was clearly inappropriate to the long-awaited dialogue between the Mediterranean seaboard countries.Given that the Mediterranean countries share the same cultural problems in connection with rehabilitating, preserving, protecting and deriving the maximum benefit from age-old civilizations which are a universal heritage shared by the whole of mankind, what practical measures does the Commission intend to promote - particularly in the vitally important archaeological field - with a view to rehabilitating and preserving the heritage of the past, while showing proper respect for the cultural identities of the modern-day inhabitants of the area?Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (13 September 1996)The safeguarding and enhancement of the archaeological heritage was one of the main themes of the work of the Euro-Mediterranean ministerial meeting in Bologna. Several proposals for specific projects in this area were considered at preparatory workshops in Arles, Berlin, Amman and Bologna. They included not only Euro-Mediterranean cooperation for the conservation and restoration of the archaeological heritage, the transfer of know-how, the continuing training of heritage professionals and the introduction of common information and communication systems but also the familiarization of the authorities, the general public and school children with the value of the cultural heritage. The Commission, while complying with the principle of subsidiarity, will support the most promising measures of the Member States and countries of the Mediterranean basin.Moreover, the Commission would like to emphasize that, as part of the preparatory measures launched in 1996 for the implementation of the Raphael programme, one of the main themes of the work had been the safeguarding and enhancement of the European archaeological heritage. This pilot project was open to participation by the associated countries of Eastern and Central Europe, Cyprus and Malta, and to cooperation with other non-member countries which have concluded association and cooperation agreements including cultural clauses with the Community.