Recommendation 1138 (1990)

European Support Fund for the co-production and distribution of creative cinematographic and audiovisual works "Eurimages"

Author(s): Parliamentary Assembly

Origin - See Doc. 6334, report of the Committee on Culture and Education, Rapporteurs : Mrs Fischer and Mr Müller. Text adopted by the Standing Committee, acting on behalf of the Assembly, on 22 November 1990.

1. The Assembly welcomes the adoption by the Committee of Ministers of Resolution (88) 15 setting up a European support fund for the co-production and distribution of creative cinematographic and audiovisual works ‘‘Eurimages'', whose twofold aim is to reactivate this area of industry and promote artistic creativity and the cultural heritage in the countries of Europe.

2. his aim is being pursued by facilitating understandings between producers, directors, actors and other professionals in various countries of Europe, stimulating the making and distribution of high-quality cinematographic and audiovisual co-productions, creating jobs and enabling profits to be made which can be re-invested in new projects.

3. So far eighteen countries

have joined the fund, which is also open to European states that are not members of the Council of Europe. The Assembly considers that steps should be taken to increase further the fund's accessibility to the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, which undeniably form part of the common cultural heritage, and it welcomes the convening of a Eurimages meeting in Budapest in December 1990, which representatives of most of those countries have agreed to attend.

4. To enable the fund to be opened up to the whole of Europe, a greater financial effort is essential, particularly on the part of those member states whose financial contributions fall below the Council of Europe's scale.

5. The Assembly therefore makes the following recommendations to the Committee of Ministers :

5.1. The activity of Eurimages should be broadened and strengthened, notably through the accession to the fund of the Council of Europe member states which have not yet joined it.

5.2. The opening up of Eurimages to the countriesof Central and Eastern Europe should be facilitated by political and financial means.

5.3. All Eurimages member states should gradually increase the fund's financial resources, and a special appeal should be made to those whose contributions fall below the Council of Europe's scale.