WRITTEN QUESTION P-0937/98 by José Escudero (PPE) to the Commission (16 March 1998)

Subject: Cultural cooperation with Latin America

Can the Commission provide information on the arrangements for participating in cultural cooperation with Latin America through the existing funds? Are there public tendering procedures or aid and/or cofinancing programmes for approved and published projects which would enable citizens and cultural organizations to gain access to participation in and the distribution of such funds?

Answer given by Mr Marín on behalf of the Commission (8 April 1998)

Between 1992 and 1997 the Commission provided a total of ECU 3.5 million to finance a number of cultural cooperation projects with Latin American countries. The main areas of cooperation were: Latin American cultural identity and cultural dialogue, the common heritage of Europe and Latin America, the image of Latin America in Europe, the cultural heritage and cultural tourism.

Furthermore, in accordance with Article 5 of Council Regulation No 443/92 (EEC) of 25 February 1992 on financial and technical assistance to, and economic cooperation with, the developing countries in Asia and Latin America ((OJ L 52, 27.2.1992. )), the Commission devotes particular attention to the cultural aspects of all the development projects it finances in Latin America. As regards applications for and allocation of project financing, the Commission applied the rules and standards in force at the time.