30 June Culture Council

Date: 03/07/1997

EU MINISTERS asked the European Commission to study the possibility of establishing a global cultural fund to replace the current piecemeal approach of smaller financial schemes for individual programmes in different sectors. Such a fund would extend to all areas of the Union's involvement in cultural activities, except for the audio-visual sector which is already covered by specific directives and programmes. Culture Commissioner Marcelino Oreja agreed to present a proposal by next May on establishing the new fund. While there was general agreement on the idea, which had been proposed by the Italian government, there was also a widespread feeling that the change should not lead to any increase in the Union's overall spending on cultural activities.

THE Commission was asked to study cross-border fixed book pricing within Union member states which share the same language. The request followed Commission fears that the current practice may be in breach of EU competition rules. But ministers insisted that any analysis of the present arrangements should include a balanced assessment of the cultural and economic aspects of books.

OREJA made a presentation on the future of the European Cities of Culture programme after the year 2000. The Commission is planning to limit the number of cities participating annually and to ensure they coordinate their activities every year.

THE European Parliament and EU governments remain deadlocked over financing of the cultural heritage programme Raphael. With member states insisting this should be limited to 30 million ecu over four years, agreement by the 23 July deadline now appears unlikely.

A MAJORITY of delegations expressed their support for a guarantee fund to boost film and television production in Europe and urged Luxembourg to make progress on this during its six-month EU presidency. The film industry has become increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress on the fund, which must be agreed unanimously, as a budget issue, and is being held up mainly by Germany's lack of enthusiasm for the idea.