A single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Culture 2000 programme’, is hereby established for the period from 1 January 2000 to F131 December 2006.

The Culture 2000 programme shall contribute to the promotion of a cultural area common to the European peoples. In this context, it shall support cooperation between creative artists, cultural operators, private and public promoters, the activities of the cultural networks, and other partners as well as the cultural institutions of the Member States and of the other participant States in order to attain the following objectives:

1. (a)

   promotion of cultural dialogue and of mutual knowledge of the culture and history of the European peoples;

2. (b)

   promotion of creativity and the transnational dissemination of culture and the movement of artists, creators and other cultural operators and professionals and their works, with a strong emphasis on young and socially disadvantaged people and on cultural diversity;

3. (c)

   the highlighting of cultural diversity and the development of new forms of cultural expression;

4. (d)

   sharing and highlighting, at the European level, the common cultural heritage of European significance; disseminating know-how and promoting good practices concerning its conservation and safeguarding;

5. (e)

   taking into account the role of culture in socioeconomic development;

6. (f)

   the fostering of intercultural dialogue and mutual exchange between European and non-European cultures;

7. (g)

   explicit recognition of culture as an economic factor and as a factore in social integration and citizenship;

8. (h)

   improved access to and participation in culture in the European Union for as many citizens as possible.

The Culture 2000 programme shall further an effective linkage with measures implemented under other Community policies which have cultural implications.

The objectives listed in Article 1 shall be achieved by the following means:

1. (a)

   specific innovative and/or experimental actions;

2. (b)

   integrated actions covered by structured, multiannual cultural Cooperation Agreements;

3. (c)

   special culturals events with a European and/or international dimension.

The actions and their implementing measures are described in Annex I. They are either vertical (concerning one cultural field) or horizontal (associating several cultural fields).

F2The financial framework for the implementation of the ‘Culture 2000’ programme for the period referred to in Article 1 is hereby set at F1EUR 236,5 million .

The annual appropriations shall be authorised by the budgetary authority within the limits of the financial perspective.

In the implementation of the Culture 2000 programme, the Commission shall, in cooperation with the Member States, ensure the overall consistency and complementarity with relevant Community policies and actions having an impact on the field of culture. This could involve the possibility of including complementary projects financed through other Community programmes.

F3The Culture 2000 programme shall be open to participation by the countries of the European Economic Area and also to participation by the associated countries of central and eastern Europe in accordance with the conditions laid down in the Association Agreements or in the additional Protocols to the Association Agreements relating to participation in Community programmes concluded or to be concluded with those countries.

The Culture 2000 programme shall also permit cooperation with other third countries which have concluded Association or Cooperation Agreements containing cultural clauses, on the basis of additional funds made available in accordance with procedures to be agreed with the countries in question.

The Culture 2000 programme shall permit joint action with international organisations competent in the field of culture, such as Unesco or the Council of Europe, on the basis of joint contributions and in accordance with the various rules prevailing in each institution or organisation for the realisation of the cultural actions and events listed in Article 2.

Not later than 31 December 2002 the Commission shall present to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions a detailed assessment report on the results of the Culture 2000 programme, having regard to its objectives, and accompanied if necessary by a proposal for the amendment of this Decision.

On completion of the Culture 2000 programme, the Commission shall present a report on its implementation to the European Parliament, the Council, the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. Moreover, the Commission shall present annually a short report monitoring the situation of the implementation of the Culture 2000 programme to the European Parliament, the Council and the Committee of the Regions.

These assessment reports shall emphasise in particular the creation of added value, particularly of a cultural nature, and the socioeconomic consequences of the Community's financial support.

Decision No 2228/97/EC shall be repealed with effect from 1 January 2000.

This Decision shall enter into force on the date of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

It shall apply from 1 January 2000.