COUNCIL CONCLUSIONS of 17 June 1994 on drawing up a Community Action Plan in the field of cultural heritage (94/C 235/01)

The Council points out that Article 128 of the Treaty establishing the European Community selected cultural heritage as a priority field of action for the Community. It also points to the conclusions of the Council and of the Ministers of 12 November 1992 on the guidelines for Community cultural action, in which they indicated their interest in both movable and fixed heritage.

It noted the series of consultation meetings organized by the Commission, at which experts from the Member States, the European Parliament and the Council of Europe, as well as other competent international organizations have been able to contribute to the drawing up of a communication on cultural heritage.

It noted with interest the outcome of the various meetings of experts and considered that the various aspects of the cultural heritage should be combined in one global action, highlighting the importance of:

- taking into account the cultural dimension of other Community policies and programmes,

- increasing the awareness of all those concerned, especially at local level,

- mobility for professionals, the exchange of experience and information,

- European networks and establishments devoted to conservation, training, and research in the field of cultural heritage and cooperation with third countries and the international organizations concerned.

More specific actions were envisaged, especially in the following areas:

- conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage of European significance,

- circulation of information,

- training,

- increasing public awareness,

- taking cultural heritage into account in regional development and job cration,

- tourism and environment,

- research,

- mass media and new technologies.

Such actions could be of practical application in specific areas of cultural heritage, such as archives and sub-aquatic heritage, on which experts have already held meetings.

On these bases, the Council invites the Commission to continue its work and to submit to it, at the earliest opportunity, a communication on cultural heritage, together with a proposal for specific actions with due regard for the procedures provided for in Article 128 of the Treaty.