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LEGISLATION Europe

Creative Europe at the Council of the European Union: second exam

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- European ministers focused on the new instrument of financial guarantee introduced in this programme

When they gathered at the Council in Bruxelles last November 26, European ministers of education and culture proceeded to a second exam of the 2014-2020 Creative Europe programme suggested by the European Commission. After a globally positive welcome during its first exam last May, European ministers focused on the new instrument of financial guarantee introduced in the programme.

The ministers thus gave their support to the agreement between member states on the setup and functioning of this instrument that should indirectly support the cultural sector’s small and medium-sized enterprises and organisations in their search for bank credits. The Commission suggests that €200m be invested in this fund that is to complete the actual subsidy system and that should be managed by the European Investment Fund (EIF). Member states have asked that the fund’s regulations guarantee the geographical and sectorial balance of projects to benefit from its aid. The fund’s structure and duties, as well as the role of the different players involved (banks, financial intermediaries and instruments, beneficiaries) have been outlined. Contrary to the Commission's opinion, member states also want the fund’s annual work programme to explicitly state allocation criteria as well as the amount to be allocated each year to the EIF. Finally, the Commission will have to hand the Parliament and the Council an interim report and an annual report on the fund's implementations. The Council’s position on Creative Europe is “a general partial approach” as its budgetary aspects still await an agreement on the European Union's budgetary framework for 2014-2020 and because the European Parliament has not yet handed in its report on the Commission’s proposal. So far, the Creative Europe programme has been the object of about 480 amendments by members of the committee of the Parliamentarian in charge of the file.

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A parliamentary committee should vote on the Parliament’s report, drawn up by European Member of Parliament Silvia Costa, on December 18.

During this Council, the French delegation, supported by several member states, expressed its concern about the revision of the Cinema Communication that regulates the applicable criteria for public aid to cinema within the EU. European ministers stressed the importance of the film industry for the Union’s economy and cultural identity. Joaquim Almunia, member of the European Commission responsible for Competition, believes that these criteria urgently need to be reviewed to respond to evolutions in the sector. He has said that he is overall in favour of territorialised aids, but within the respect of the internal market rules that are compatible with the protection of European cinema. According to him, the proposals currently on the table have already taken into consideration many of the comments made by state members. His wish is to resume consultations in January and to make rapid progress.

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(Translated from French)

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