91998E1018

WRITTEN QUESTION E-1018/98

by Rolf Berend (PPE) to the Commission

(6 April 1998)

Subject: Funding of Weimar's reign as European City of Culture in 1999

In 1999, Weimar in Thuringia will be the European City of Culture. To date, the City of Culture scheme has been financed through the Kaleidoscope programme. Weimar will be an exception in that the Kaleidoscope programme finishes in December 1998. It is uncertain how Weimar's reign as European City of Culture will be funded. The City of Weimar and the Land of Thuringia need clarification of the financing arrangements soon.

Will Weimar's reign as European City of Culture be financed as part of a pilot project and, if so, how, and how much funding will be allocated? Or is it planned in this case to extend the Kaleidoscope programme on a one-off basis?

When can a final decision be expected?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission

(14 May 1998)

Without prejudice to the decisions which will eventually be taken on this matter by the Community institutions and the budgetary authority in particular, the Commission is able to confirm that it is planning to continue in 1999 the financial support traditionally granted by the Community to the "European City of Culture" project.

As regards the basis on which this grant will be paid, the Commission is proposing to use the preparatory stage of the framework programme on culture, currently in preparation within the Commission and scheduled to go before Parliament and the Council in May 1998.

An announcement on the exact amount of the Community grant to the "European City of Culture" will be made, as usual, at the beginning of the budget exercise for the year in question. In view of the financial perspective for the culture budget, however, it is important to bear in mind that the Community's contribution to this event will necessarily be largely symbolic.