European Cultural Heritage Forum—Europa Nostra
Brussels, 7 December 2005

Your Royal Highness,
President Sigmund,
Chairman Sifunakis,
His Excellency von der Gablentz,
Distinguishes guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,

• It is a honour and pleasure to speak today before you at Europa Nostra’s European Cultural Heritage Forum. I am glad and I appreciate very much that this forum is devoted to the definition of a common strategy for cultural heritage in Europe.
• I congratulate Europa Nostra for its excellent, very active role in preserving and promoting Europe’s cultural heritage. Europa Nostra’s work for “Our Europe” is instrumental: By reminding of and preserving Europe’s cultural richness of the past, it contributes to secure our future! Europe is not only about economy, it is first and foremost about values. And our culture, our cultural heritage gives to us people in Europe a soul.
• The objective to define a common strategy for cultural heritage in Europe is an ambitious goal, but it is surely within reach if the resources and the energy of both the public sector and civil society are mobilised constructively.
• Τhe venue for our gathering – the seat of the European Economic and Social Committee is most appropriate, because it represents exactly this sort of co-operation.
• Europa Nostra’s proposal for a strategy towards cultural heritage provides a good platform for increased awareness.
• It illustrates the positive efforts that can be made at European and national level with the aim to establish more effective tools in favour of the sector’s enhancement and sustainable development.

What does the European Union do for cultural heritage today?

• But before referring to Europa Nostra’s proposals, let me first say a few words about the role the European Union plays nowadays in the field of cultural heritage.
• The motto of the Union is “United in Diversity”. The Union is unquestionably one of the driving forces in protecting cultural diversity across our continent in all of its forms and expressions, including heritage.
• Today, it supports activities in the areas of movable and immovable heritage (such as for instance, museums, art collections or libraries), of archaeological and architectural heritage, natural heritage and linguistic heritage.

The Commission endeavours to support the field of cultural heritage mainly through two main channels: Community cultural programmes and co–operation with other international organisations.

Culture 2000 and Culture 2007 Programmes

• Since the year 2000, over 250 projects linked to our common European heritage have been supported through the Culture 2000 Programme with a budget of nearly 80 million Euros allocated between 2000 and 2006. In 2005 alone, over 50 projects have been supported with over 10 million Euros of funds.
• Within the EU cultural budget it is a sizable contribution and its catalyst effect on the whole sector of conservation, restoration and dissemination of cultural heritage cannot be underestimated.
• The new Culture 2007 programme which is more flexible and open to all sectors sets even more ambitious objectives for the support of cultural activities. I very much hope that the pending negotiations on the Financial Perspective will take due account of the – growing – importance of culture in Europe.
• The Culture Programme supports also the European Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Awards, launched in 2002. The award turned out to be a success story as a joint action promoting excellence in heritage conservation practice.

In this context, let me say how pleased I am that one of the awards of the EU prize for architectural heritage was given to the Hill Church of Sighişoara in the Transylvania region of Romania in 2004. This is an example of how a derelict Evangelical church may become a cultural centre and art museum.

• I would also like to recall the recent Commission’s proposal for a programme called “Citizens for Europe”, which is based, inter alia,

on the cultural article 151 of the EC Treaty and which stresses the fundamental link between active citizenship and culture. Our initiatives related to the European Capital of Culture and the recently proposed European Year for Inter-cultural dialogue (2008) also highlight the importance, the Commission is attaching to culture.

• Let me also recall very briefly that the EU’s Structural Funds provide direct support for cultural infrastructure and installations, such as for the conservation of archaeological sites. Considerable means are devoted to cultural heritage in this context, with the aim of promoting regional development and social cohesion.

Co-operation with other international organisations

• An important aspect of the present Culture programme, and also of the future one, is the co–operation with International Organisations such as UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
• I am very happy that UNESCO’s General Conference of October adopted – with an overwhelming majority the Convention on the protection and promotion of cultural diversity. This is a true milestone, as it builds a new, legally binding pillar in international governance. I am proud to say that Europe has managed to speak with one voice and has significantly contributed to this success. It shows: When we are united, we can be and are very successful !
• EU support is also given to the European Heritage Days.

The European Heritage Days add a valuable contribution to our efforts to promote cultural awareness and improve access to cultural goods.

• The launch of this year’s European Heritage Days in Prague and Chrudim in Eastern Bohemia is a good example of positive co–operation between national and local authorities as well as NGOs.
• This year, the various events of the European Heritage Days extended as far as to Andorra and Moldova under the motto: “Europe, a Common Heritage”.
• Safeguarding heritage in South–East Europe is another important joint action between the Commission and the Council of Europe. Over 160 sites in the Western Balkans were identified so far in the framework of the Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in South-East Europe.
• This action aims to launch restoration feasibility studies for all earmarked monuments and sites. I am happy to say that 60 of them have been already finalised. The studies will help to attract funding from European and international organisations and sponsors.
• These common actions bear testimony to co–operation efforts for the preservation of national treasures in a wider Europe.

The definition of a joint strategy for cultural heritage in Europe—Europa Nostra’s paper

• Ladies and Gentlemen:

Let me thank Europa Nostra for having prepared and submitted the position paper on cultural heritage which has received the full attention of the European Commission. I would like to address the main points raised in this document.

Private–public partnerships and Fiscal Incentives

• Firstly, the paper calls for more private incentives for historical heritage. I agree and I am certain that a more intensive use of private–public partnerships is key to the conservation and valorisation of our heritage.
• As you know, the Commission encourages ventures of this type, with the use of private funds for the co–financing of projects, notably through schemes involving Structural Funds at a regional level.
• Secondly, as regards fiscal measures—such as a possible reduced VAT rate on renovation works— as you know, the Council is currently discussing a proposal from the Commission, which requires the unanimous approval of the Member States.
• However, let me point out that certain Member States have successfully granted special treatment to the sector with a reduced

VAT rate being applicable to restoration works. For instance in Belgium a 6 % rate applies, instead of the standard of 21 %.

Implementation of art.151-4 and structured dialogue

• Thirdly, a common vision for cultural heritage is an absolute necessity, especially in the light of art. 151-4 of the Treaty, which calls for the general inclusion of cultural aspects in all Community policies.
• I believe that the recommendation formulated by “Europa Nostra” about the need for a continuous dialogue on shared objectives, both within the institutions and with the NGO sector at large is already a reality.
• However, I do not feel that an effective implementation of art.151-4 does require a cultural–impact assessment or a permanent monitoring system, nor periodical reports on this subject. I think this proposed approach would add more burden on the resources of the European Commission, without providing a clear value added for our actions.
• I am of the opinion that we should use our limited human and financial resources to implement the existing programmes and provide cultural operators with as much support as we can.
• On the other hand, we strongly support additional initiatives put forward by Member States that would allow us to work in the Council on cultural matters using the open method of co-ordination.
• This is currently the case on the issue of mobility of art collection throughout Europe, which could also apply to movable heritage, such as archaeological treasures.
• In this context, we intend to give also follow up to a proposal put forward during the “Rencontres pour l’Europe de la Culture” held in Paris this May regarding the labelling of heritage in Europe.
• Fourthly, as regards Cultural Tourism, I fully agree with the conclusions drawn in the Position Paper, in so far as they indicate the way forward in creating favourable conditions for the development of a sustainable industry.
• On this occasion, let me point out to the useful work done by our host institution, the EESC, and in particular the opinion “Tourism and culture: two forces for growth” drawn by the members of the Study Group on tourism and culture. I believe this opinion is a good basis for further discussion on the topic.
• Finally, as regards the impact of enlargement and further expansion of the EU, I would like to underline that accession and candidate countries are already entitled to fully participate in the existing Community Programme. For instance, Turkey decided to join Culture 2000 as of 1 January 2006 and Croatia will probably follow in 2007.
• Moreover, from 2007 onwards, the new programme will provide the possibility of participation to countries of the Western Balkans. I regard this as a major achievement.

Conclusion

Ladies and Gentlemen:

• I would like conclude by stressing that the Policy Paper of Europa Nostra forms a good basis for a discussion which should include all stakeholders, be it from the public, private and civil–society sector. I congratulate Europa Nostra for its leading role in protecting and promoting cultural diversity and Europe’s cultural heritage. I look forward to continuing our dialogue at tonight’s dinner and in the coming future.

Thank you for your attention.