Council Decision

of 22 November 1999

concerning Community participation in the European Audiovisual Observatory

(1999/784/EC)

THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION,

Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 157(3) thereof,

Having regard to the proposal from the Commission1,
Having regard to the opinion of the European Parliament2,
Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee3,

Whereas:

(1)

Resolution (97)4 adopted by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on 20 March 1997 confirmed the continuation of the European Audiovisual Observatory initially established by Resolution (92)70 adopted by the Committee of Ministers on 15 December 1992;

(2)

All the Member States are members of the European Audiovisual Observatory; the representation of the Community in its relations with the European Audiovisual Observatory by the Commission does not affect the direct representation of individual Member States of the European Union themselves;

(3)
The Council adopted on 26 April 1999 a Decision establishing a Community statistical information infrastructure relating to the industry and markets of the audiovisual and related sectors4;
(4)

It is therefore necessary to ensure complementarity between the work undertaken under the said Council Decision and the European Audiovisual Observatory;

(5)

The European Audiovisual Observatory contributes to strengthening the competitiveness of the Community's audiovisual industry notably by improving the transfer of information to the industry, in particular small and medium-sized enterprises, and promoting a clearer view of the market,

HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: