Local view for "http://purl.org/linkedpolitics/eu/plenary/2004-01-13-Speech-2-353"
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"en.20040113.16.2-353"2
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"There is a great deal one could say about cultural diversity and its importance. This debate does not give us sufficient time. It is significant that we should be discussing this subject at 11.50 p.m., Harold Macmillan – the British Prime Minister and grandfather of a current Member here – who, over forty years ago, applied for British membership of the European Union, said that when discussing those things that are precious to a people, you do not sell the family silver. That clearly applies to cultural values. The rapporteur is therefore correct to state that cultural products and services should not conform to the normal free market of commercial and trade options.
Can we trust our governments to preserve our national, European and regional cultures? In my own country where, one might say, foreign languages are no longer taught, where history has become simply a background to current affairs and where Shakespeare is apparently too difficult for English students, those who say 'Yes, we may trust our governments to conserve our cultures' would perhaps be foolish. The proposals that this should be agreed at international level are correct, but we should also address ourselves directly to our own peoples and our own students. We have a great deal to fear from internationalisation, particularly of the television media. I hope that Parliament will continue to make positive proposals which are accepted both by the Commission and the Council, but I await a specific reply from the Commissioner on the point I raised initially."@en1
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