WRITTEN QUESTION E-0178/04 by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission. Funding from the Culture 2000 programme for the conservation of valuable cultural works stored in Aghia Sofia.
Date: 2004-01-29
Institutions: European Parliament, Provisional data
Subjects: EU programme, Türkiye, cultural cooperation, cultural object, eligibility criteria, heritage protection

C 78 E/938

Official Journal of the European Union

EN

27.3.2004

Once the results of the inquiry into this disaster are known, the Commission will assess the need, if any, to
amend or strengthen these measures or adopt new ones.

In the short term, the Commission will also examine ways of improving transparency in the field of air
transport, in particular with regard to informing the public on the safety of airlines.

(1) OJ C 103, 30.4.2002.
(2) OJ L 167, 4.7.2003.

(2004/C 78 E/0992)

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0178/04

by Alexandros Alavanos (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(29 January 2004)

Subject: Funding from the Culture 2000 programme for the conservation of valuable cultural works stored

in Aghia Sofia

In its answer to my question No E-2962/03 (1), the Commission states that ‘The Community’s financial
assistance programme for Turkey does not allow to provide support for conserving and restoring religious
or cultural works, such as those stored in the Aghia Sofia.’

These valuable cultural works, principally in the Byzantime tradition, are being ruined, forgotten in the
vaults of the church, a fact which has aroused strong feelings among Turkish public opinion. The Culture
2000 programme has been extended by two years from 5 May 2003 and provides for cultural cooperation
with third countries not taking part in the programme, such as Turkey, by allowing funding for projects
taking place in a third country which focus on the common cultural heritage of the countries participating
in the project. In the light of these considerations, can the Commission confirm that if a Member State
submits such a project it will be eligible for funding? What is the deadline for submitting such proposals?
Will the Commission inform and encourage the Turkish authorities to take advantage of the opportunities
offered by the Culture 2000 programme to conserve and restore these valuable cultural works?

(1) See page 771.

Answer given by Mrs Reding on behalf of the Commission

(5 March 2004)

The Commission would like to draw the Honourable Member’s attention to the fact that the legislative
procedure relating to the extension of the Culture 2000 programme (1) is still under way. The Commission
cannot therefore provide any specific information at this point concerning the guidelines of the call for
proposals for projects to be carried out in 2005.

Under current procedures, however, in order to be eligible, projects funded under the action for ‘annual
cooperation projects in third countries’ must be carried out in a country which is not participating in the
programme and must involve the cooperation of at least four organisations (one project leader, two
co-organisers and one associated partner). These four organisations must include three cultural institutions
belonging to three countries participating in the programme and one cultural institution from the third
country concerned.

With regard to future calls for proposals, the publication dates will depend largely on the deadlines
imposed by the legislative procedure approving the programme’s extension and then by the deadlines for
approval of the calls for proposals by the Management Committee.

In accordance with the current regulations, the Commission will ensure that information on the call for
proposals is distributed widely, for example in the Official Journal of the European Union and on the
Culture 2000 website: (http://europa.eu.int/comm/culture/eac/index_en.html).

(1) COM(2004) 79 final.