WRITTEN QUESTION E-1541/99 by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Drafting of Community Directive concerning the film industry.
Date: 1999-09-01
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: European identity, European social policy, film industry, labour law

18.7.2000

EN

Official Journal of the European Communities

C 203 E/7

The measure part-financed by the Guidance Section of the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee
Fund seeks to rebuild the production potential of the agricultural sector, farmers(cid:146) main residences and the
rural infrastructure and to restore the architectural heritage of rural villages.

The goals of the two measures under the European Regional Development Fund are, firstly, to re-establish
the non-agricultural production potential and the infrastructure associated with small and medium-sized
businesses and, secondly, to rebuild and restore the public and private architectural heritage (through
integrated projects).

Consequently the Structural Funds made available to the Marche region to assist in the rehabilitation of the
areas devastated by the earthquake may not be used to finance prefabricated dwellings.

The Commission receives regular reports within the framework of the partnership on the way the
Structural Funds are used, in particular through the Monitoring Committees on which it is represented.
In the case of the Marche region, the last Committee meeting took place on 22 June 1999 and a detailed
report was provided within that framework on the implementation of the measures associated with the
earthquake.

It has been confirmed as a result of contacts with the regional authorities that the funds which may be
used for prefabricated housing come from national sources. It is therefore up to the Member State to
consider how these funds should be used so that the needs of the population can be met in the most
appropriate way possible.

(2000/C 203 E/007)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1541/99

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

Subject: Drafting of Community Directive concerning the film industry

(1 September 1999)

Would the Commission be favourably disposed to the drafting of a Community (cid:145)cinema directive(cid:146)
in
parallel with the directive on (cid:145)television without frontiers(cid:146) seeking to protect those employed in the
European film industry and audiovisual sector and secure the (cid:145)European content(cid:146) of material released over
the media?

is worth noting that a Community directive concerning the European film industry would also

It
contribute to economic development and job creation.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(8 October 1999)

The television without frontiers Directive, (Directive 97/36/EC of the Parliament and of the Council of
30 June 1997 amending Council Directive 89/552/EEC on the coordination of certain provisions laid
down by law, regulation or administrative action in Member States concerning the pursuit of television
broadcasting activities) (1) aims primarily to ensure the free movement of television broadcasts throughout
the Community. It therefore co-ordinates certain provisions laid down in the Member States relating to this
activity. A further objective is to promote production, independent production and distribution.

The same objectives are followed in respect of the European film industry. The Commission, through the
MEDIA programme, has adopted a series of measures aimed at supporting the European film industry,
focusing on certain key activities, such as development, distribution and training.

The Commission is not currently aware of any specific barriers to the circulation of European films within
the Community, for which regulatory intervention at Community level would be needed but it would be
very interested to receive information on this subject.

(1) OJ L 202, 30.7.1997.