Council Resolution

of 23 July 2001

on exchange of information and experience concerning conditions for professional artists in the context of EU enlargement

(2001/C 213/02)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Taking into account:

(1) that Community action aims at encouraging cooperation in the sphere of culture between the Member States,

(2) that the Community has to take cultural aspects into account in its action under other provisions of the Treaty,

(3) the principle of subsidiarity,

(4) that the Community and the Member States have to foster cooperation in the sphere of culture with third countries, including candidate countries,

(5) the Council Resolution of 4 April 1995 on cooperation with the associated countries of central and eastern Europe in the cultural domain(1), which emphasises the importance of structured ties with associate countries in the cultural sphere,

(6) the Council Resolution of 20 November 1995 on the promotion of statistics on culture and economic growth(2), which notes the influence of culture on the overall development of society and its cohesion, as well as on cooperation with third countries,

(7) the first Commission report of 17 April 1996 on the consideration of cultural aspects in European Community action,

(8) the European Parliament resolution of 9 March 1999 on the situation and role of artists in the European Union(3), which stresses the importance of artists to the process of European integration,

(9) the Council conclusions of 17 December 1999 on cultural industries and employment in Europe, which invites Member States to intensify exchange of information,

(10) the Council Resolution of 17 December 1999 on the promotion of the free movement of persons working in the cultural sector(4), which states that the free movement of persons in the cultural sphere enhances cooperation and collaboration in this sphere and thereby helps develop both diversity in the European cultures and a European consciousness,

(11) the Helsinki European Council conclusions of 11 December 1999 on the importance of the enlargement process launched in Luxembourg in December 1997 for stability and prosperity for the entire European continent,

1. NOTES the importance of artists' work for freedom of expression and the enhancement of cultural diversity in Europe as well as for the development of international exchange and cultural linking;

2. NOTES the current activities of the Social Dialogue Committee for the Performing Arts set up by the Commission in January 1999 at the joint request of the sectorial social partners;

3. RECALLS that the Commission has launched a study on the mobility and free movement of persons working in the cultural sector;

4. NOTES that the overall issue of the conditions for professional artists is of central importance in the cultural sphere;

5. NOTES that these conditions are to a great extent influenced by a number of other policy areas, for example employment, social security, intellectual property rights, free movement, education and training;

6. NOTES that the exchange of information on good practice and national policies concerning conditions for professional artists developed by many Member States and candidate countries could be of mutual interest and deal with the subjects that are most suitable for discussion at the European level;

7. STRESSES the importance of giving the relevant organisations representing creative and performing artists the opportunity to present their views where measures concerning their conditions are planned;

8. CONSIDERS that, in the light of enlargement and of the other factors mentioned above, it would be appropriate to encourage exchange of information and experience concerning the conditions for professional artists between the Member States as well as between the Member States and the candidate countries, involving relevant parties based on the question at hand;

9. CONSIDERS the importance of taking into account the work done by international organisations, in particular the Council of Europe and Unesco, as well as by other professional bodies and networks in this sphere to avoid any duplication.

10. INVITES the Commission, having regard to the subsidiarity principle and within the existing legal and financial framework, and especially Article 151(4) of the Treaty, to:

(i) encourage exchange of information and experience regarding conditions for professional artists between the Member States as well as between the Member States and the candidate countries, including, for example, meetings, the use of new communication technologies and/or studies,

(ii) ensure, where Community level measures are planned concerning conditions for professional artists, that the relevant European organisations representing artists are given the opportunity to present their views.

11. CALLS ON the Member States to:

(i) cooperate with the Commission in the development and implementation of the exchange outlined above,

(ii) encourage exchange of information and experience concerning the conditions for professional artists between the Member States as well as between the Member States and the candidate countries.

(1) OJ C 247, 23.9.1995, p. 2.

(2) OJ C 327, 7.12.1995, p. 1.

(3) OJ C 175, 21.6.1999, p. 42.

(4) OJ C 8, 12.1.2000, p. 3.