Vol. 483 No. 5
41 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Gaeltacht and the Islands if she will make a statement on the agenda of achievements of the existing EU Presidency and future items for discussion in the next EU Presidency in relation to her areas of responsibility. [20772/97]
In the area of culture the current Luxembourg Presidency secured the adoption of the RAPHAEL Programme in support of the action by member states in the field of cultural heritage. The Luxembourg Presidency also developed proposals on the future role of music in Europe. The conclusions were adopted at the recent meeting of the Council of Cultural and Audiovisual Ministers. In the relation to the next semester, the Commission has been asked to conduct a study into the possibility of setting up a guiding comprehensive and transparent approach for cultural action within the European Union in order to implement Article 128 of the Treaty and to table proposals on the future of the European cultural action including establishment of a single instrument for programming and financing aimed at implementation of Article 128. The Commission is to report by the 1 May 1998 at the latest. The Commission is invited to submit proposals for the music sector based on the Council conclusions in the context of the proposals to be tabled by 1 May 1998.
