91997E3825

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3825/97 by Roberto Mezzaroma (UPE) to the Commission (28 November 1997)

Subject: Protection of artists in Europe

What does the Commission intend to do- or has it already done -to ensure a decent standard of living for those artists, writers, journalists, sculptors, painters and musicians who have promoted the arts in their own countries and in Europe by their efforts, thus contributing to its gradual integration;in particular, what is done to ensure that those artists who do not earn enough to make a living, and who do not receive welfare payments or have access to suitable premises in which to exercise their talents, receive financial support to provide them with an adequate standard of living?

Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (8 January 1998)

The Commission recalls that social, economic and legal protection of artists and professionals is primarily the responsibility of the Member States. Moreover, it stresses that, in several cases, the laws and rules applicable to the matter are not sectoral in character.

Under Article 128 of the EC Treaty, which relates to culture, the Community has the task of supporting and supplementing action by the Member States through accompanying measures without harmonising their laws and regulations. Here, existing Community cultural programmes - Kaleidoscope, Ariane and Raphael - all endeavour, in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity, to contribute to the development and advancement of the artistic professions.

A number of provisions adopted under other Community policies directly or indirectly encourage employment or call for a high level of protection (for example, with regard to intellectual property) for the categories referred to in the question, as can be seen from the first report on the consideration of cultural aspects in European Community action ((COM(96) 160 final. )).