Europaudvalget 2019-20
EUU Alm.del Bilag 587
Offentligt
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Declaration
by the Ministers of Culture and Media of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece,
Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland,
Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden on culture in times of
COVID
–
19 crisis
Following the videoconference on 8 April 2020 of European Union Ministers of Culture
and Media, and also the European Commission, on how to respond to the unprecedented
human and economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Ministers of Austria,
Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands,
Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden have issued this
declaration.
We, Ministers of Culture and Media of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain and Sweden and our representatives, having met digitally for the first
time in history due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to have an informal exchange of
views and find solutions together:
WELCOME
the measures taken by Member States and the European
Commission, especially those taken to support the cultural and creative sectors, including
the audiovisual and media sector, to help businesses and individuals who are particularly
affected and to safeguard the well-being of our citizens by making cultural content
accessible to them online.
STRESS
that culture is a reflection of unity in diversity, societal values and identity,
tradition and innovation, contemporaneity and forward thinking; it builds bridges and
fosters resilience, understanding and connection, and will be a key resource in the
aftermath of the crisis and the recovery from it. Artists are the backbone of our culture
and specific attention must be granted to them.
RECALL
that the cultural and creative sectors, including the audiovisual and
media sector, are essential to the European economy but are among the sectors most
 EUU, Alm.del - 2019-20 - Bilag 587: Uformel erklæring fra kultur- og medieministre fra EU om kultur i COVID-19-krisetider
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dramatically hit by the pandemic, and that rarely has such solidarity been more evident
than in this moment of crisis, when all EU Member States have mobilised at once to help
those hard-hit sectors navigate these challenging times.
UNDERLINE
the vital role of the media and more particularly of journalists, whose
timely and credible reporting and dedication to combatting disinformation and fake news
have never been more essential; these are the values that we need to encourage and
hold in high regard.
AGREE,
under these exceptional circumstances, that an immediate, ambitious,
and sustainable policy response is needed and jointly
COMMIT
to acting and responding
swiftly and flexibly to developments as they unfold.
HAVE
therefore
PUT TOGETHER
a first set of national and European measures
as a basis for further action to support the recovery of the sectors.
NOTE
that during our deliberations the following measures were proposed: to
regularly make an informed assessment of the situation in order to act appropriately, to
put forward solutions whereby EU-level effort will supplement the national measures
today and in a multiannual perspective, with special attention to the flexibility and digital
initiatives within the Creative Europe programme, and to ensure that the aid provided by
EU funds and programmes reaches the cultural and creative sectors and contributes to
their recovery.
REAFFIRM
that we are determined to take further decisive policy action in order
to support the cultural and creative sectors in times of crisis and beyond.