Creative Europe: Council agrees its position 2021-2027

Brussels [ENA] The Council on the 20th December 2018 agreed its position (partial general approach) on the regulation establishing the Creative Europe programme for 2021-2027. The programme aims to safeguard, develop and promote European cultural and linguistic diversity and heritage, and to increase the competitiveness of the cultural and creative sectors, in particular the audiovisual sector.

The agreement does not cover the budgetary aspects of the draft regulation, since the final amounts will depend on the agreement reached on the next multiannual financial framework. "Creative Europe plays an important role in promoting European art, culture and media. Today's agreement means that we will be able to offer increased support for European artists and creators, and so contribute to the further development of European culture and identity." Quoted by Gernot BLÜMEL, Federal Minister for the EU, Arts, Culture and Media of Austria.

Main specific objectives of Creative Europe: * enhancing artistic and cultural cooperation, including the mobility of artists and professionals, at the European level; * promoting the cooperation, competitiviness and innovation potential of the European audiovisual industry; * supporting the creation, circulation and promotion of European works, including the promotion of a diverse and pluralistic media environment and media literacy.

The programme includes support for the translation and promotion of literary works across the EU, the development of audio-visual works and video games, the production of innovative TV content, European and international co-productions, and the distribution and sales of audio-visual works in Europe and beyond. Creative Europe also supports architecture and heritage protection projects, European cinema festivals and the music sector, as well as special actions as the European capitals of culture, the European Heritage label and the European prizes for literature.

The current Creative Europe programme runs from 2014-2020. The Commission presented the proposal for the new period in May 2018. The position of the Council represents its mandate for the negotiations with the European Parliament which will begin next year. The decision on the financial allocations for Creative Europe for 2021-2027 will depend on the agreement on the next MFF.