The informal meeting of Ministers for Culture and Audiovisual Affairs :: Versailles, 21-22 July 2008
(2008 07 28 21:50)
Christine Albanel, French Minister for Culture and Communication, brought together her fellow EU ministers for an informal meeting. One of the main issues discussed during the meeting was how to better enhance knowledge of, and access to, European heritage, particularly for young people. One of the most interesting initiatives is the 'European Heritage Label' project. Its main aim is to enhance certain key sites and landmarks of European heritage by organising them within the framework of a network.
Another important theme was how to prevent theft and how best to combat illegal trafficking in cultural property and artefacts. It’s a serious problem and one of the ways to solve it is to expand the interconnection of the national electronic databases recording stolen cultural artefacts and include all 27 Member States.
On 22 July, ministers for audiovisual affairs discussed the revision of the Community's regulatory framework governing electronic communication (the 'Telecommunications Package'). The issue of protecting copyright was also brought up. The ministers emphasised the importance of improving consumer information on copyright issues concerning works broadcast on the internet and making the public more aware of the consequences of piracy on creativity and cultural diversity.
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