COUNCIL RESOLUTION

of 4 April 1995

concerning cooperation with the associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe in the cultural domain

(95/C 247/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Whereas the Europe agreements establish an association between the European Community and its Member States and currently associated countries of Central and Eastern Europe, namely, Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, the Slovak Republic, Bulgaria and Romania (associated CCEE);

Whereas the conclusions adopted at the European Council meetings in Copenhagen in June 1993 and Essen in December 1994 affirmed that these countries were potential members of the European Union;

Whereas the participation of the associated CCEE in Community programmes of relevance to them is of major importance for their integration into the Union and for their future accession;

Whereas the promotion of cultural exchanges and the enhancement of the cultural heritage in Central and Eastern Europe are a major opportunity for the whole of Europe;

Whereas the establishment of a uniform, open and active audiovisual market of 600 million potential consumers is a major challenge for the Union which its partners in the associated CCEE expect it to meet;

Whereas structured relations with the associated CCEE must address all issues of common interest and therefore the cultural and audiovisual fields;

TAKES NOTE of the participation of the associated CCEEs is specific Community activities in the cultural sphere (cultural events, heritage, books and reading) and in projects under the reform process already initiated by the associated countries concerned;

STRESSES the importance in this context not only of bilateral cooperation at all levels (public and private, national, regional, local) but also - as a complement to it - of Community cooperation with the countries in question;

EMPHASIZES in this context the benefit of exchanging of information and of utilizing the results of the questionnaire on bilateral and Community cooperation activities and programmes;

REAFFIRMS its belief that Community programmes should be opened to the associated CCEE in the run-up to accession;

EMPHASIZES the major role of the Phare programme in establishing a framework conducive to adjustment to the market economy and the necessity in that context of taking account of the interests of the culture and audiovisual industries in the light of the priorities expressed by the partner countries;

STRESSES that the Union must accentuate the cultural dimension of cooperation in its dialogue with each of the associated CCEE;

NOTES the importance which the associated CCEE attach to the initiation of cooperation in three particular areas:

1. the development of a legal, administrative and management environment conducive to the expansion of cultural and audiovisual activities and exchanges in those countries;

2. the establishment of effective distribution channels within culture industries such as publishing, records and film;

3. the conservation, restoration and enhancement of the cultural heritage;

INVITES the Commission, as a complement to the specific activities of Member States and on the basis of a permanent dialogue with the associated CCEE, to:

- give sufficient prominence to the restructuring of the culture and audiovisual industries and distribution channels in the associated CCEE where such activities are regarded as a priority by those countries, so as to bring, in an appropriate form, the cultural dimension more to the fore in the activities supported by the Phare programme,

- prepare at the earliest opportunity and on the basis of the Association Agreements the practical measures for participation by the associated CCEE in cultural and audiovisual activities with a view to maximizing the benefit they obtain from such activities within the framework of existing structures,

- give consideration in this context, and within the existing programmes, to possible activities which are likely to reflect the priorities expressed by the partner countries in the context of the three areas defined above,

- inform the Council and the Ministers for Culture in good time of the preparatory positions for the meetings of the Association Councils and of the outcome of those meetings with regard to the question of financial participation by the associated CCEE and the European Union in Community activities in the cultural sphere,

- instigate, in conjunction with the EBRD and the EIB, a study of the financial arrangements which might be used within existing structures for funding projects for the culture industry, particularly in connection with the distribution of audiovisual products and books and the enhancement of the cultural heritage, and to report back to the Council on the matter,

- take due account of the principles and considerations set out in this resolution, particularly when the Association Councils examine the opening of Community programmes.