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

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.