Six-Monthly Report on
Developments in the EU
by
Minister for Arts, Sport and
Tourism, John O'Donoghue, T.D.
Six-Monthly Report on
Developments in the EU
by
Minister for Arts, Sport and
Tourism, John O'Donoghue, T.D.
Scrutiny
review:
The Department of Arts, Sports and Tourism did not submit any European Union draft legislative proposals for review by the Oireachtas between 1 July and 31 December 2003.
Previous
Presidency:
During the Italian Presidency, the Education, Youth and Culture Council took place in Brussels on 24-25 November 2003. The Council adopted the following Resolutions: -
(i) 'Resolution on Co-operation between Cultural Institutions in the Field of Museums', (Doc. 29501/03) which provides for co-operation between Member States in the fields of research and training on cultural heritage, restoration and conservation of artefacts, in the fight against the trafficking of cultural goods and in relation to exhibitions;
(ii) 'Resolution on the deposit of cinematographic works in the European Union', (Doc. 295/03).
At this meeting the Council also
(i) reached political agreement on the decision by the European Parliament and the Council establishing a Community action programme for the promotion of organisations active at European level in the field of culture on the basis of a Presidency compromise, endorsed by the Commission.
(ii) exchanged views on future culture cooperation and future cultural support programmes based on the mid term review of the current programmes by the Commission.
(iii)
exchanged views on the Commission's
mid-term evaluation of the Media and Media Plus Training audiovisual programmes
(2001-2005). On the basis of a Presidency submission the Council
agreed certain amendments to the existing Media Plus programmes to take account
of the
·
integration of the new Member States into the
mainstream actions of the MEDIA programme;
·
incorporation of digital technology in MEDIA actions
through the development of the current pilot projects; and
·
access to finance by Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in the
audiovisual sector in partnership with the European Investment Bank.
Two proposals for
Decisions extending the current MEDIA Plus programme for a further year (2006) are currently being considered by the Council and
the European Parliament.
|
Further details of the above resolutions and
conclusions can be found on the European Union website: www.europa.eu.int |
European Union Sports Ministers met at Artimino, outside Florence on 2-3 October under the Italian Presidency. The discussions covered a number of topics including the proposed provision for sport in the new European Treaty, the educational and ethical values of sport in European society, the fight against doping in sport, the role of sport in developing countries and the development of sport in relation to EU enlargement.
The European Sports Forum met in Verona on 21-22 November and the agenda included sport as a means of social integration, the role of European sport in an international context, sport and media literacy and the European Year of Education through Sport 2004. The European Sports Forum provides an opportunity every year for all interests involved in European sport, government representatives, members of the European Parliament, Sports Councils, international sports federations and Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to debate issues of current relevance and of mutual concern in sport.
Intensive work continued on preparations for the launch in January 2004, during Ireland's Presidency, of the European Year of Education through Sport 2004. Member States also continued to be represented on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and work proceeded on the preparation and agreement on a new world anti-doping convention under the aegis of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
|
Further details on European Year of Education
through Sport can be found on the European Union website: www.europa.eu.int |
During the Italian Presidency, a
European Tourism Forum, with representation from the European industry and
policy-makers, was held in Venice on 28-29 November. The Forum considered various issues relevant to tourism
development and sustainability in an European Union context, including the
importance of impact assessment tools and taxation policy.
Following
an extensive public consultation process, the Commission adopted a
Communication entitled "Basic Orientations for the Sustainability of
European Tourism". The
communication was noted at the Competitiveness Council of Ministers meeting on
26 November. Any necessary follow-up
required to advance the measures envisaged in this Communication will be
considered by the Irish Presidency in consultation with the European Commission
and Council Secretariat.