Work in the EU
EU-related work is an important part of the activities at the Ministry of Culture and encompasses the ministry's two main policy areas: culture and media.
The EU and culture
Action by the EU is to contribute to the development of culture and to promote cooperation between Member States. Where necessary the EU is to support and complement actions taken by Member States concerning the dissemination of knowledge about the culture and history of the European peoples, the conservation and protection of European cultural heritage, and artistic creation.
Culture Programme
Ongoing EU activities in the field of culture are dominated by the Culture Programme. The previous Culture 2000 programme took place between 2000 and 2006. It has been succeeded by the Culture Programme, which will run from 2007 to 2013. Like the previous programme it will support joint cultural projects between several European countries. The Culture Programme aims to promote cultural development, increase the mobility of artists and create favourable conditions for the dissemination of their work. The EU also distributes finance from the Structural Funds to culture-related projects and to the care of the cultural landscape in Sweden. In addition, support is provided for natural and cultural assets in the reindeer husbandry area.
Culture Contact Sweden
Cultural Contact Point Sweden (CCP Sweden) is the information office for EU culture issues. It provides information on and assists in the implementation of the EU's culture support programmes. Under an agreement with the European Commission, the National Heritage Board (Riksantikvarieämbetet) and the Swedish Arts Council (Statens kulturråd) are responsible for Cultural Contact Point Sweden, the National Heritage Board is responsible for cultural heritage issues and the Swedish Arts Council is responsible for art forms and cultural activities.
The EU and media issues
The MEDIA programme (Mesures pour Encourager le Développement de l'Industrie Audiovisuelle - Measures to promote the development of the audiovisual industry) complements national efforts and provides support to the European audiovisual industry in order to boost its competitiveness and increase the circulation of European works. The previous programme was divided into two parts - further training of professionals (MEDIA Training), and development, distribution and marketing of European audiovisual works (MEDIA Plus). It ran for the period 2000-2006. A new programme, MEDIA 2007, which applies to the period 2007-2013, entered into force in January 2007. The programme is a continuation of the previous programmes, with essentially the same content. Information on the programme is provided by MEDIA Desk Sweden at the Swedish Film Institute.
The Television without Frontiers Directive
The Television without Frontiers Directive contains minimum rules for cross-border television broadcasts concerning European programme content; advertising and sponsorship; the protection of minors; and the right of reply. A review of the Directive is under way in order to modernise the regulations so that TV broadcasts provided on demand will also be covered. The new directive will also contain completely new rules on product placement: the right to short news footage when there are exclusive rights holders; and requirements concerning a gradual increase in accessibility for disabled persons. The new directive is expected to enter into force at the end of 2007.
The EU and sports
In the EU a number of cooperation projects are also under way in the area of sports. At the informal ministerial meetings for sports Sweden is represented by the minister responsible for sport. These purpose of these meetings is not to make decisions but to provide a forum for discussion and the exchange of experience in relation to both current and long-term issues. EU sports ministers normally meet once or twice a year at the invitation of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers of the European Union.
