B3-1011, 1012, 1039, 1040 and 1045/93

Resolution on the cultural aspects of GATT

The European Parliament,

-having regard to its resolution of 11 October 1990 on progress in the multilateral trade negotiations in the context of the GATT Uruguay Round,

-having regard to the draft final act dated 20 December 1990 summarizing the results of the Uruguay Round of multilateral trade negotiations, the 'Dunkel compromise',

A.whereas, in view of the significant growth in international trade both in services and in goods protected by intellectual property law, it is essential to safeguard the stability and safety of trade in this field,

B.whereas the audiovisual sector is an important facet of European culture; whereas, in view of technological developments, the image will be the main medium for culture in the 21st century,

C.whereas the liberalization of trade must be considered in the light of safeguarding higher interests, and European culture in particular,

D.whereas the complete imbalance in trade in the audiovisual sector between the United States (exports worth $3-4 bn) and the Community ($250 m) means that European policy encouraging the audiovisual industry cannot in all honesty be regarded as a barrier to trade,

E.having regard to the global nature of the negotiations,

1.Stresses that the weakness of the audiovisual sector in the Community is unacceptable in view of the cultural dimension involved;

2.Points out that culture is not just another commodity;

3.Notes and welcomes the Commission's proposal, in accordance with the ad hoc brief given it by the Council, to include in the body of the text a 'cultural specificity clause' aimed, inter alia, at safeguarding the audiovisual sector;

4.Supports the Commission in its call for exemptions to the most-favoured-nation-clause with a view to ensuring the effectiveness of Directive 92/38/EEC on "Television without frontiers", the Media Plan, the Council of Europe's Eurimage Programme and the coproduction agreements signed by the Member States;

5.Restates its support for the television without frontiers directive and firmly opposes any move to dismantle it, any change which would weaken its scope and any interpretation contrary to the spirit of the directive;

6.Stresses that, over and above the twofold nature, economic and cultural, of the audiovisual sector, pictures carry messages and create a demand for a wide variety of consumer products, thereby giving this sector another economic dimension which could be of benefit to the whole of European industry;

7.Calls on the Commission to reject any concession which might jeopardize either the preservation or indeed the future development of the cultures of Europe;

8.Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and Council.