92002E3879

WRITTEN QUESTION E-3879/02

by Jorge Hernández Mollar (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(10 January 2003)

Subject: Launch of the trademark Made in Malaga

The trademark Hecho en Málaga (Made in Malaga) has been launched by a foundation and an association of young artists and craftsmen from Malaga province (Spain), with the objective of boosting sales of local craft products.

This initiative, which will provide a new impetus for the market in craft goods in the province, has recently been presented to the public. It includes measures aimed at creating a cultural base for the export of local artefacts to other regions of Spain and to European and world markets.

Can the Commission indicate what Community aids could be activated to benefit this initiative of the Malaga craft sector, with a view to consolidating its incipient launch and helping the province's young artists and craftsmen build their future while dedicating themselves to their artistic specialities?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(7 February 2003)

The project the Honourable Member refers to could receive co-financing from the Structural Funds under the integrated operational programme for the region of Andalusia in the period 2000-2006.

The Commission reminds the Honourable Member that, in line with the principle of subsidiarity, the choice of projects eligible for co-financing is a matter for the Member State and depends, in particular, on the selection criteria set out in the programming documents. It would be appropriate, therefore, to call on the foundation and the association of young artists and craftsmen promoting the project to seek information from the Dirección General de Fondos Europeos de la Consejería de Economía y Hacienda de la Junta de Andalucía, at the following address: Isla de la Cartuja, Edificio Torretriana, 5a planta, 41071 Seville.

At the same time, the Commission is providing funding for the Prodecom project under the Euromed Heritage II framework programme, which seeks to mobilise the potential of the Euro-Mediterranean artistic and craft cultural heritage by using the designation local culture product intended to make it easier for the quality and originality of craft products to be recognised. In the longer term, this initiative should facilitate the marketing of craft products in Europe and worldwide. The project is being coordinated by the Chambre des Beaux Arts de Méditerranée (59, rue Cambronne 75015 Paris mail to: ch.beaux.arts@wanadoo.fr).