European Parliament resolution on cultural cooperation in the European Union (2000/2323(INI))
Date: 2001-09-05
Institutions: European Parliament
Subjects: European identity, cultural cooperation, cultural policy, cultural promotion

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(cid:129) having regard to Rules 86 and 97(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

(cid:129) having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Regional Policy, Transport and Tourism

(A5-0268/2001),

1.

Gives its assent to the conclusion of the agreement;

Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council and Commission, and the governments

2.
and parliaments of the Member States and Romania.

4. Cultural cooperation in the European Union

A5-0281/2001

European Parliament resolution on cultural cooperation in the European Union (2000/2323(INI))

The European Parliament,

(cid:129) having regard to Articles 1 and 6 of the Treaty on European Union and Articles 3, 5, 151 and 192 of

the Treaty establishing the European Community,

(cid:129) having regard to Rules 59 and 163 of its Rules of Procedure,

(cid:129) having regard to its resolution of 11 March 1992, on the situation of artists in the European Com-

munity (1),

(cid:129) having regard to its resolution of 30 January 1997, on the consideration of cultural aspects in Euro-

pean Community action (2),

(cid:129) having regard to its resolution of 16 September 1997, on cohesion policy and culture: a contribution

to employment (3),

(cid:129) having regard to its resolution of 9 March 1999, on the situation and role of artists in the European

Union (4),

(cid:129) having regard to Decision No 508/2000/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 Feb-

ruary 2000 establishing the Culture 2000 programme (5),

(cid:129) having regard to Articles 13 and 22 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union (6),

(cid:129) having regard to the report of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport

(A5-0281/2001),

A. whereas culture, in a broad sense, is the bedrock on which peoples build their identity,

B. whereas it is one of this Parliament(cid:146)s duties to make progress in the search for a common cultural
basis, a European civil area, that will increase citizens(cid:146) sense of belonging to that European area,

C. whereas a European cultural policy which in no way seeks uniformity but can offer an identity born
importance for the development of a collective

of the encounter between differences is of crucial
European consciousness,

(1) OJ C 94, 13.4.1992, p. 213.
(2) OJ C 55, 24.2.1997, p. 37.
(3) OJ C 304, 6.10.1997, p. 40.
(4) OJ C 175, 21.6.1999, p. 42.
(5) OJ L 63, 10.3.2000, p. 1.
(6) OJ C 364, 18.12.2000.

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D. whereas artistic and cultural freedom of expression and the access of all citizens to culture are funda-

mental rights, won by European democracies in the course of history,

Wednesday 5 September 2001

E. whereas Europe continues to be an essential cultural reference point in the world,

F. whereas the Union(cid:146)s cultural relations with other countries foster mutual understanding between

peoples in the interests of peace,

G. whereas one of Europe(cid:146)s distinctive cultural features is its unity in diversity, that is to say the ongoing
coexistence and interaction, which has evolved through the centuries, of a rich variety of languages,
traditions, lifestyles, trends, movements and artistic and cultural expressions,

H. whereas there has been continuous action by the European Union, from 1974 onwards, in support of
a Community cultural policy and whereas the Commission has expressed its commitment to imple-
menting cultural programmes,

I. whereas the Union has made a positive contribution to the development of European culture, particu-
larly following the entry into force of the Maastricht Treaty, and has implemented the Kaleidoscope,
Ariane and Raphael programmes, whose actions are now incorporated in the Culture 2000 pro-
gramme, as well as the Media Plus programme and other initiatives such as Connect, the European
Capital of Culture and the European Year of Languages, launched in 2001,

J. whereas the Union can also make a contribution through its research framework programme (FP 6) to
maintaining cultural heritage, by researching techniques for protecting works of art, documents and
the like from deterioration,

K. whereas these programmes account for only a portion of the Community resources earmarked for

culture, most of which are allocated via the Structural Funds,

L. whereas in 2000 only 0,1 % of the Community budget was allocated to culture and the audiovisual
sector, and there is a need to provide a larger and more appropriate amount for developing a Euro-
pean Union cultural cooperation policy,

M. whereas the planning and management of Community resources need to be coordinated,

N. whereas Article 151(4) of the Treaty stipulates that the Community must take cultural aspects into

account in its action under other provisions of the Treaty,

O. whereas the Community, while actively interpreting the subsidiarity principle, must supplement and
encourage the action taken by the Member States, by bringing Europe(cid:146)s common cultural heritage to
the fore, thereby creating European added value (Article 151 of the Treaty),

P. whereas cooperation between the Union and the Member States on cultural matters is not systematic,
as it is in other areas of Community activity, such as education and the (cid:145)European Schoolnet(cid:146) experi-
ence,

Q. whereas the cultural policies of the Member States reveal both differences and similarities, with both

aspects being important for enhanced cooperation in this field,

R. whereas Article 192 of the Treaty provides that Parliament may request the Commission to submit

appropriate proposals on matters on which it considers that a Community act is required,

S. whereas it would be advisable to initiate cultural cooperation on the basis of a joint programme, by
means of existing Community instruments (cid:129) duly revised, if necessary (cid:129) together with new instru-
ments, to promote the appropriate synergies between the cultural polices of the Member States and
the Union,

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T. whereas in an increasingly multi-ethnic Europe, cultural policy needs to be an integral part of econ-
omic and social development, to perform a role of social cohesion and mutual enrichment, and to be
a factor that is essential for belonging to a European citizenship,

U. whereas the European Union has considerable influence on national cultural policies, in so far as it is
laying down new requirements for cultural producers in a number of areas, such as copyright, resale
rights, liberalisation of the telecommunications market, competition law (including film finance, resale
price maintenance for books, theatre subsidies, and media concentration) and so on,

1.
Stresses that culture is an essential component of EU identity; observes that the respect for and
promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity and the sharing of a common heritage are a force for the
integration and development of human beings; maintains that this identity is the least that is required in
order to consolidate the sense of European citizenship and to draw up a future European constitution;

Points out that cultural exchange and cooperation substantially contribute to Europe(cid:146)s capacity for

2.
integration and cohesion;

Points out that culture is an asset in its own right and also makes an important contribution to
3.
economic development and helps increase employment; calls on the Member States and the Commission,
therefore, to raise the profile of, and invest in, all parts of the (cid:145)cultural chain(cid:146), i.e. not only cultural property
related to tourism, but also the protection and conservation of heritage, urban regeneration, handicrafts,
training, the production of goods and services, etc.;

4.
Points out that, in view of the soaring demand in the e-culture information society for content in
general, and high-quality content production in particular, all the Community(cid:146)s activities promoting the
information society should give far greater weight to the cultural dimension, and that the cultural sphere
as a whole should be addressed more actively and integrated into the various programme elements;

5.
Considers it would be appropriate, for the future of the Union, to strengthen the cultural dimension
in both political and budgetary terms, particularly in the form of enhanced cooperation measures, while
respecting the principle of subsidiarity, as laid down in Article 151 of the Treaty, to enable the establish-
ment of a (cid:145)European cultural area(cid:146);

Calls on the Member States to set a common objective of allocating at least 1 % of total public funds

6.
to stimulating artistic creation, expression and dissemination;

Calls for the extension of qualified majority voting in any future revision of the Treaty to ensure

7.
support for measures in the cultural sector;

Calls on the Commission to submit to Parliament and Council a proposal for a decision based on

8.
Article 151(5) of the Treaty, whereby:

(cid:129) the Commission would submit to Parliament and Council an annual report on the cultural policy of

the Union and of the Member States,

(cid:129) the Member States would contribute actively to drawing up and carrying out a three-year cultural

cooperation plan incorporating specific targets, in particular:

(a)

(b)

establishing telematic networks and services to connect cultural institutions (libraries, foundations,
museums, restoration centres, theatres, etc.),

strengthening telematic networks and services for the purpose of informing the public and raising
awareness of the cultural heritage and cultural policies of the Union and the Member States and
of different regions within Member States; these new services, if implemented wisely, could greatly
increase the ability of individuals to communicate effectively at a distance and would encourage a
more resourceful collaboration between individuals and a better understanding of cultural diver-
sity on all levels,

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(c)

(d)

(e)

improving relations between cultural authorities at various levels and cultural operators in terms
of information and cooperation,

systematically exchanging information on institutional and legislative innovations and on best
practices in the planning and administration of cultural policies,

reinforcing the Eurostat working group on cultural statistics and broadening the scope of its
activities,

(f)

supporting initiatives launched by the third sector and the voluntary sector,

(g) promoting initiatives seeking to establish a stronger connection between culture and education,

including the teaching of European languages,

(h) conducting research, particularly on techniques for conserving cultural heritage,

(i) promoting a training scheme for cultural managers,

(j) providing assistance on twinning and exchanging best practices in this area,

(k)

implementing measures to boost the creation of creative jobs in the cultural sector,

(l)

setting up a working party to make an in-depth analysis of the role of the media, because of their
importance in shaping cultural awareness in modern European society,

(m)

developing relations for cooperation with the Council of Europe and Unesco;

Calls on the Commission to provide Parliament and the Council with a report reviewing the funding

9.
of cultural activities as part of the subsidies granted by the Structural Funds;

10.
Calls on the Commission to submit to the European Parliament and the Council a draft decision
under Article 151(5) of the Treaty, for setting up a European observatory to monitor cultural cooperation,
with the aim of promoting the exchange of information and coordination between the cultural policies of
the Member States and Community cultural policy; notes that this body, linked to the Commission and the
national contact points in the Culture 2000 programme, will have a duty to systematically identify and
promote best practice in the Member States(cid:146) policies and successful experience with sponsoring schemes or
public-private partnerships for the benefit of the cultural heritage, artistic creation and citizens(cid:146) access to
culture;

Notes that the recommendations in this resolution respect the subsidiarity principle and the funda-
implications for the Community budget can be

11.
mental rights of citizens; considers that any financial
financed under the current ceiling of heading 3, by annual decision of the budget authority;

Calls, as part of the review of the Culture 2000 framework programme, for upgrading of the role of

12.
the contact points, especially in their function of providing:

(cid:129) a permanent point of reference with the various institutions supporting the cultural sector in the
Member States, thus contributing to coordination between the Culture 2000 programme activities
and national support measures,

(cid:129) information and contact at the appropriate level between those taking part in the Culture 2000 Pro-

gramme and in other Community programmes accessible to cultural projects;

13.
Calls on the Commission, with a view to the assessment and review of the Culture 2000 framework
programme, to convene a second Cultural Forum (in the wake of the first EU Cultural Forum held in
January 1998) which, on the basis of this resolution, would redefine the values, objectives and forms of
cultural cooperation in Europe;

Hopes that, at the Cultural Forum, dialogue with cultural operators will be strengthened and

14.
improved in a transparent and effective manner;

15.
Points to the importance of patronage for artistic creation and events, and asks the Commission to
encourage partnerships between cultural foundations, institutions and associations, and private companies
which wish to pursue activities on a European scale;

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16.

Calls for the Member States to grant tax benefits to patrons of the arts in their tax legislation;

17.
Calls on the Commission to carry out a study into the possibility of approximating at Community
level the principles governing the tax arrangements for works of art and artistic work, particularly concern-
ing VAT, and the tax provisions for the movement of artists within the European Union;

Calls on the Commission to draw up rules to ensure that,

18.
in tendering for any public works
financed with Structural or Cohesion Funds (for transport and communications infrastructure, certain
equipment, and landscaping or environmental works), from 0,1 to 0,5 % of Community funding should
go to the creation of any works of art (sculpture, ceramics, painting etc.) that will serve to decorate the
completed works and remind citizens of the Community(cid:146)s participation in those works;

Recommends, in view of the forthcoming WTO summit, that the Union restate its position on two

19.
fundamental requirements:

(cid:129) to enhance the competitiveness of the European cultural industry through close Community coop-

eration,

(cid:129) to uphold, under all circumstances, the principle of fair and healthy competition with regard to trad-
ing in cultural property and services, in particular by opposing abuses of a dominant position;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council and Commission, the governments

20.
and parliaments of the Member States and candidate countries, and the Council of Europe.

5. European Aviation Safety Agency ***I

A5-0279/2001

Proposal for a regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council on establishing common
rules in the field of civil aviation and creating a European Aviation Safety Agency (COM(2000) 595
(cid:129) C5-0663/2000 (cid:129) 2000/0246(COD))

The proposal was amended as follows:

TEXT PROPOSED
BY THE COMMISSION (1)

AMENDMENTS
BY PARLIAMENT

Amendment 1
Recital 2a (new)

(2a)
In order to respond to increasing concerns over the
health and welfare of passengers during flights, it is necess-
ary to develop aircraft designs which provide increased pro-
tection for the safety and health of passengers.

Amendment 2
Recital 2b (new)

(2b) Results of air accident investigations should be acted
upon as a matter of urgency, in particular when they relate
to defective aircraft design, in order to ensure consumer con-
fidence in air transport.

(1) OJ C 154 E, 29.5.2001, p. 1.