Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2003-03-10-Speech-1-058"
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"en.20030310.4.1-058"2
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".
Mr President, ladies and gentlemen, as you know, the European Union has always declared its commitment to cultural diversity, a commitment which is also an obligation under Article 151 of the Treaty. Our ambition is to unite the peoples, not just build a free trade area. In this regard, respect for cultural and linguistic diversity within the Union is a basic principle, a principle which the Union is under obligation to uphold in international trade negotiations, as my colleague, Mr Lamy, has just said, but also to promote with active, proactive policies which can influence our cultural policies.
The Union is also called upon to promote at international level both preservation of and respect for this diversity, which is the essential basis for intercultural dialogue and cultural exchange at world level. In this sense, the Union is one of the major players in a controlled globalisation which meets the expectations of the people. In terms of cultural matters, particularly, the European project is incompatible with a form of globalisation which would be liable to erode national, regional or local identities and threaten linguistic and cultural diversity. Moreover, the debates underway in the various international forums on cultural diversity clearly demonstrate that Europe is not alone. In this matter, we have allies.
I see the response of the Commission and the European Union in the area of cultural diversity as being structured around three main lines. Firstly, as Mr Lamy explained, a firm position in the WTO comprising no commitments in the area of the liberalisation of audiovisual and cultural services, in order to preserve the freedom necessary for the preservation and development of national and Community instruments seeking to achieve cultural diversity objectives. Secondly, the promotion of cultural exchanges which respect cultural diversity at world level, in particular by means of a debate on cooperation policies. In this regard, the enhancement or strengthening of the Union’s role in cultural cooperation with third countries would appear to be very important, for the Union is one of the leading players in North-South solidarity. Thirdly, the active participation of the Union in international discussions on cultural diversity.
Ladies and gentlemen, I personally am convinced that such a debate is appropriate and necessary, for globalisation raises a number of questions to which the liberalisation of trade cannot alone provide the answers. It is therefore important that we are present in international forums such as Unesco to discuss cultural diversity and to fight to preserve it. At this juncture, the Commission has not decided on the form and content of a possible future international instrument on cultural diversity, but I feel it is important for you to know that the Commission is present at the forums where these discussions take place. Moreover, I welcome the fact that the Greek Presidency wants to develop the debate at Community level on cultural diversity in general, including the aspects related to international law, with a view to the informal Culture Council at the end of May. I intend to contribute to the coordination of Member States’ deliberations desired by the Presidency by sending ministers information, particularly on the Unesco process, in order to stimulate the debate between the European nations on this matter.
Another aspect is education. The most important thing to remember is that public services are not under threat from GATS. Firstly, the agreement lays down a general provision protecting a large number of public services, specifically services which are provided on neither a commercial nor a competitive basis. Secondly, even where services which are not covered by this exemption are concerned, the States have the right to decide, according to a basis which can be very detailed, the bottom up approach, in which sectors and sub-sectors they will grant access to their markets or national treatment. Thirdly, even after opting for market access or national treatment, they can qualify their commitments with conditions stipulating the restrictions they will apply under their national legislation. Fourthly and lastly, GATS recognises the States’ right to preserve or introduce regulations, laws or other provisions providing for access to quality services at reasonable prices. This applies to universal service obligations.
Let us take as an example an area which concerns us and you particularly, the area of education. The commitments given by the Commission and its Member States at the Uruguay Round only relate to private education. Public services in the field of education are not affected by these commitments at all and the aim of the commitments given is to ensure that, insofar as and only insofar as a private services market exists, the nationals and operators of the partner countries can have access to them under the same conditions as the nationals of the country concerned. Moreover, even as regards the private sector covered by the commitments, the Member States have been able to specify the content through a whole series of conditions that they already apply and that they will be able to continue to apply. Thus, one country requires teachers to be employed from among its nationals, another that the majority of members of a board of governors must be nationals, and another that non-nationals have to have authorisation from the ministry before opening an establishment.
As regards the current round, the Doha Round, we certainly do not intend to change the commitments we have given in the field of education to include any points relating to public systems. The public education system will therefore remain exactly the same. We examined the requests of the different countries with a view to changing our commitments relating to private education services. After consulting the Member States and the different parties concerned, we concluded that it is not appropriate to give new commitments increasing access to the Community market in this sector either.
Ladies and gentlemen, I believe that the position is clear and precise. I would, however, like to say one more thing. Although we are not going to open up the market in the sense I have just described, we will subscribe to the offer on the provision of education to students from third countries. This is precisely the aim of the project ‘Erasmus World’. Indeed, although we are protecting our European system within Europe, this European system is open to students from all over the world."@en1
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