Germany Takes Over EU Presidency

(2007 01 08 16:43)

From 1^st 2007 January Germany has held EU Presidency for the twelfth time. Germany will be followed by Portugal on 1 July 2007 and Slovenia on 1 January 2008.
An 18-month work programme for the three successive Presidencies was developed, for the first time, encompassing the period January 2007 to June 2008. This "team programme" is meant to increase continuity in the Council's work. On its part, Germany has elaborated a work programme for the Federal Government. It provides an overview of the projects to be dealt with during the Presidency and presents Germany's specific Presidency priorities.

Below an excerpt on modern cultural and media policy included in the Federal Government’s work programme:

Cultural and media policy promote Europe’s cultural identity and highlight the continent’s diversity. Almost seven million people currently work in Europe’s cultural and media landscape, and the trend is increasing. The German Presidency will call for the elaboration of joint recommendations on how to tap the growth and employment potential of the cultural sector more effectively. Priority projects in the cultural sphere are to be collected in a multiannual work plan.
The Presidency will continue work on the revision of the Television Without Frontiers Directive to adapt the legal framework for television services to technological developments, particularly those involving the Internet.

More info on the Germany’s Presidency on this website. << back