European Cultural Heritage Forum\u2014Europa Nostra
Brussels, 7 December 2005<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your Royal Highness,
President Sigmund,
Chairman Sifunakis,
His Excellency von der Gablentz,
Distinguishes guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What does the European Union do for cultural heritage today?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Culture 2000 and Culture 2007 Programmes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n This is an example of how a derelict Evangelical church may on the cultural article 151 of the EC Treaty and which stresses the Co-operation with other international organisations<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The definition of a joint strategy for cultural heritage in Europe\u2014 Private\u2013public partnerships and Fiscal Incentives<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Implementation of art.151-4 and structured dialogue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Conclusion<\/strong> European Cultural Heritage Forum\u2014Europa NostraBrussels, 7 December 2005 Your Royal Highness,President Sigmund,Chairman Sifunakis,His Excellency von der Gablentz,Distinguishes guests,Ladies and gentlemen, What does the European Union do for cultural heritage today? Culture 2000 and Culture 2007 Programmes This is an example of how a derelict Evangelical church may become a cultural centre and art museum. on […]<\/p>","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[338],"tags":[251,1026],"class_list":["post-18524","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-en","tag-culture","tag-heritage"],"yoast_head":"\n\n
few words about the role the European Union plays nowadays in
the field of cultural heritage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
unquestionably one of the driving forces in protecting cultural
diversity across our continent in all of its forms and expressions,
including heritage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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\u2013operation with other international
organisations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
catalyst effect on the whole sector of conservation, restoration and
dissemination of cultural heritage cannot be underestimated.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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 \u2013 growing \u2013 importance of culture in Europe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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 Sighi\u015foara in the Transylvania region of Romania in<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
become a cultural centre and art museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
programme called \u201cCitizens for Europe\u201d, which is based, inter alia,<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
the future one, is the co\u2013operation with International Organisations
such as UNESCO and the Council of Europe.
– I am very happy that UNESCO\u2019s General Conference of
October adopted \u2013 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 !<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
The European Heritage Days add a valuable contribution to our
efforts to promote cultural awareness and improve access to
cultural goods.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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:
\u201cEurope, a Common Heritage\u201d.
– Safeguarding heritage in South\u2013East 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\u2013operation efforts for
the preservation of national treasures in a wider Europe.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Europa Nostra\u2019s paper<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
heritage. I agree and I am certain that a more intensive use of
private\u2013public 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\u2013financing of projects,
notably through schemes involving Structural Funds at a regional
level.
– Secondly, as regards fiscal measures\u2014such as a possible
reduced VAT rate on renovation works\u2014 as you know, the Council
is currently discussing a proposal from the Commission, which
requires the unanimous approval of the Member States.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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 %.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
– 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 \u201cEuropa Nostra\u201d
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\u2013impact 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n
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.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
In this context, we intend to give also follow up to a proposal put
forward during the \u201cRencontres pour l\u2019Europe de la Culture\u201d held in
Paris this May regarding the labelling of heritage in Europe.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
– 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 \u201cTourism
and culture: two forces for growth\u201d 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.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Ladies and Gentlemen:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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\u2013society sector.
I congratulate Europa Nostra for its leading role in protecting and
promoting cultural diversity and Europe\u2019s cultural heritage. I look
forward to continuing our dialogue at tonight\u2019s dinner and in the
coming future.
Thank you for your attention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"