Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-04-21-Speech-3-343"
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"en.20040421.14.3-343"2
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"Mr President, first of all, as I will not have another opportunity in this House, allow me to congratulate the Chairman of the Committee on Culture, Youth, Education, the Media and Sport, my colleague and friend Mr Rocard. We have done some good work over the last few years. I regret that it has to end on a disagreement. We do not, however, disagree on the fundamental issue, because we have the same fundamental idea: to ensure that European capitals of culture continue to be real springboards for European cultures and diversity. Unfortunately, the fact that the Treaties require unanimity in cultural matters does not allow us to go any further, which is what we really need to do. This is why, while we hope to soon have a new treaty establishing majority decisions on cultural matters, which would help us enormously to make progress in many areas, we should propose a radical review as soon as possible of the way in which European capitals of culture are chosen.
There are two things that I would like to say. The first is that I agree with those of you who have said that a repair solution may be an opportunity for the future. Often, in the past, European capitals of culture have not been European enough. If we have two capitals between which bridges are built, there could be a very significant strengthening of that European dimension. I must also assure you that this Commissioner has his pilgrim’s stick ready to go to the cities when they are being prepared, to argue the cause of a more European programme. I think that the last three examples, Graz, Genoa and Lille, to name but a few, show a remarkable effort to place the European aspect of culture on the agenda, transcending regional and national dimensions. I am therefore optimistic, because I am speaking on the basis of what is being done.
There are even some Member States already doing what we want for the future: healthy competition in order to choose the best city. What is happening is England, Germany and elsewhere is marvellous. We are also aware, of course, that there are negative examples, but today I prefer to look mainly at the positive examples, because they are marvellous and they show us that the capitals of Europe are a good idea with a great future ahead of it.
I attach huge importance to the bridges to be built between the cities. For example, look at the Luxembourg proposal, which raised a few problems, because it was not sufficiently developed. The jury protested. Luxembourg submitted a new plan which creates synergies within the big region of Europe, i.e. Germany, Luxembourg, Belgium and France, and also creates synergies with a Romanian city which, historically, has a specific relationship with Luxembourg. They even still speak Luxembourgian there. This is to show you that if we are really doing our job and pushing the cities to be better, to be really European in their cultural choices, the result can be very positive.
I agree with those Members who have cited some cities to show how becoming European capitals of culture opened up new perspectives to them by directing them towards cultural industries, cultural tourism and cultural excellence. This is the case of a city such as Glasgow, for example, which was not really oriented towards culture at the start. The same applies to Liverpool. These cities are experiencing a development that is not only industrial and social, but also involves citizens and culture.
If we work hard in the future, like the current Parliament, for whom this is the last debate on culture, has done over the last five years, I do not doubt for a moment, Chairman Rocard, that what your Committee wanted and what your Commissioner has always advocated will be put into practice in the cities of culture of the future. I hope that the good examples of the past will be followed in the future, and I wish all citizens and all those involved in culture courage and pleasure as they meet in the future in the cultural cities of Europe."@en1
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