09/02/2006

On December 21, 2005, the European Commission officially asked its 25 Member States to ratify the Convention on Cultural Diversity "with as few delays as possible". The target is to achieve ratification by at least thirty UNESCO countries so that the Convention may be enforced. However, it will only be enforced – three months after the 30th signature has been obtained – in participating countries whereas the other UNESCO countries are not obliged to follow it. Evoking the principal of shared competence, the Commission wants to play an active part in the Convention and has officially ratified it. This ratification will not count as part of the compulsory minimum of 30 signatories. Canada is the first and only country as of January 2006 to have ratified it.

The UNESCO Convention does not expect any delays in ratification. France has promised to do so by March, the northern countries by the summer, whereas Belgium, like a few other states, requires a whole year. However, many countries, notably those of Eastern Europe, are not yet in possession of a complete translation. Realistically, the ratification will not take place before 2010, when the provisional dispensation accorded by the WTO will come to an end, and there is a risk of a legal void.

A minimum of thirty signatory countries would be truly representative of the world landscape and its cultural mosaic. In it statement, the Commission encourages the 25 member states to contact other countries and ask them to ratify as well. It is already known that the southern European countries have asked for Cultural Diversity Funds to support the development of their film industries. This was accepted so long as contributions remain voluntary. Certain countries (such as Belgium) already plan to re-direct their existing aid and cooperation agreements through these specific funds.

(Translated from French)