Oostenrijks voorzitterschap houdt pleidooi voor Europees beleid culturele diversiteit (en)

"Content for Competitiveness": EU Expert Seminar

"There are common European policies for environment, health, and finance. But we have no common content policy. With this conference, we have begun a debate on a European content strategy, in order to strengthen Europe's ability to compete", said State Secretary Morak on Friday at the EU conference "Content for Competitiveness - Strengthening the European creative industries in the light of the i2010 strategy". Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes i was present at the opening and EU-Commissioner responsible for Culture and Education Ján Figel i came to sum up the conference at the closing.

The conference "demonstrated very clearly the urgency of the issues", said Morak: How should European regulation adapt to the requirements of the future? How can we use Europe's culture and creative potential in order to find content for our platforms and networks? How can Europe strengthen its role in a global economy?

The common European market is not a threat to Europe's cultural diversity, but on the contrary, an opportunity. We should look at Europe's strengths with more self-confidence and we must use them in even better ways. Fear of America or Asia is uncalled for", said the State Secretary, stressing that it was necessary to eliminate existing market barriers.

The results of the conference can be summarized in three words: "creativity, coordination and coherence. Europe does not lack creative minds. We have outstanding initiatives, but we must coordinate them better, in the interest of strengthening the European content and creativity industries," said Morak as he announced that the results of the event would be presented at the next Council of Ministers for Culture on 18 May. "We want this conference to give the impetus for the establishment of a coherent EU policy for the content and creativity industries", said the State Secretary.

EU Commissioner Jan Figel promised the support of the European Commission for this plan. "Europe's greatest resource is its culture. We must learn to use Europe's creative potential better. This conference has provided important motivation to do so". Even now there are programmes like "Culture 2000" that facilitate the preservation and strengthening of culture in Europe. This effect will be intensified by the next programme, "Culture 2007", said the Commissioner.

It is necessary to protect Europe's cultural diversity, and the Member States of the Union have committed themselves to this effort. "This diversity - a synonym for European content - distinguishes Europe and defines its people. In the European Commission we are working on programmes that will involve citizens more. Digital competence is becoming increasingly important", concluded Figel.

Information on the conference: www.contentconference.at