RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL AND OF THE MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR CULTURAL AFFAIRS, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL of 9 November 1987 on the promotion of translation of important works of European culture (87/C 309/03)

THE COUNCIL AND THE MINISTERS RESPONSIBLE FOR CULTURAL AFFAIRS, MEETING WITHIN THE COUNCIL, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to the paragraphs of the Solemn Declaration on European Union (Stuttgart, 19 June 1983) concerning an improvement of information on European culture and wider dissemination of the works of writers of the Member States both inside and outside the Community, Having regard to the Resolutions of the European Parliament of 18 January 1979 and 18 November 1983 dealing with literary translation, Taking account of the Commission communication to the Council of 27 November 1985 on the European dimension with regard to books, and noting that the Commission has set up a Consultative Committee on books, Taking account also of the work being accomplished in this field by certain Member States as well as by Unesco and the Council of Europe, Bearing in mind the possibility of participation in this activity by the European Foundation after establishment, With a view to giving publishers an incentive to publish translations of European literary works and to achieving the highest possible quality of such translations, Whereas, furthermore, the promotion of translation contributes to the removal of obstacles to the free movement of books and the improvement of conditions of employment of translators, within the terms of the treaty establishing the European Economic Community; AGREE on the desirability of promoting the translation into other European languages of important works of European culture, including works of contemporary European literature, with priority to translations from minority European languages; AGREE to undertake a suitable pilot scheme to provide support for translations, taking into account existing Member State action concerning translation from certain languages, and to encourage the widest possible distribution of works thus translated; AGREE on the creation of annual prizes to encourage European translation; AGREE to encourage the highest possible quality of translation and recognize the vital role of well-trained translators in this connection; INVITE the Commission to consider how it will contribute to the realization of the above measures.