31997D1007(01)

COUNCIL DECISION of 22 September 1997 regarding the future of European cultural action (97/C 305/01)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community and in particular Article 152 thereof,

Acknowledging the importance of cultural action for further development of the Community,

Considering that Article 128 of the Treaty explicitly provides the Community with a cultural dimension,

Taking into consideration guiding principles of the Treaty, such as those enshrined in Article 3b,

Taking into account the Council resolution of 20 January 1997 on the integration of cultural aspects in Community action (1), in particular:

I.

The reference to the conclusions of the Council and the Ministers for Culture meeting within the Council of 12 November 1992 on guidelines for Community cultural action, whereby:

- the relationship between cultural and other domains should be made more visible,

- the options provided thereto in Article 128 (4) of the Treaty should be utilized more effectively,

- a better balance must be created between the cultural, economic and other dimensions of the policy of the Community, so that these dimensions supplement and support each other;

II.

Considering that various cultural activities of the European Community fall within different cultural (sub)programmes,

Noting that in addition to those programmes, the Community supports cultural activities in a variety of ways,

Indicating that the establishment of up-to-date overviews regarding cultural action in the Community is essential with a view to coordinating the support of the cultural sector,

In view of the experiences which the Community has acquired in supporting the cultural sector,

Considering that the existing cultural programmes will be concluded in the years ahead,

Considering that since it is essential that the views of the Member States are taken into consideration in the Commission's proposal, it might be appropriate for the Commission, in a way it deems suitable, to consult them on their views on European cultural cooperation,

REQUESTS that the Commission conduct a study into the possibility of setting up a guiding, comprehensive and transparent approach for cultural action within the Community in order to implement Article 128 of the Treaty, and that it table proposals on the future of the European cultural action, including, inter alia, the establishment of a single instrument for programming and financing aimed at the implementation of Article 128, while the audiovisual sector already disposes of its own instruments, taking into account the aforesaid considerations and a further evaluation of relevant (sub)programmes, by 1 May 1998 at the latest.

Done at Brussels, 22 September 1997.

For the Council

The President

F. BODEN

(1) OJ C 36, 5. 2. 1997, p. 4.