25-05-2013

EU parliament votes for resolution to exclude culture from US EU Trade Talks but the battle continues

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    CANNES: The European Parliament has voted in favour of a resolution calling for the exclusion of cultural and audiovisual services from the negotiating mandate for a free trade agreement between the US and the EU following strong protests in Cannes and across Europe from the audiovisual sector. The resolution was carried by a large majority.

    But the vote does not bind the European Commission to exclude the cultural sector sector from the trade talks when it goes to the table and the audiovisual sector has vowed to continue the fight until 14 June when Member States will adopt the negotiating mandate to be given to the Commission.

    During Cannes a petition signed by nearly 5,500 audiovisual professionals was presented to EU lawmakers and officials.  The petition was supported by European audiovisual organisations Eurocinema, Europa Cinemas, Europa Distribution, Europa International, the European Producers Club, FERA, FIAD, SAA and UNIC and Film New Europe and we congratulate the European Parliament for voting in favour of the resolution.

    The audiovisual sector has warned that if the cultural exclusion is lost the industry will lose jobs, funding and cultural diversity.  The audiovisual sector of the smaller countries of the EU would be especially under threat.