MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION

The European Parliament,

–  having regard to the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions,

–  having regard to the Council Conclusions of 24 May 2007 on the contribution of the cultural and creative sectors to the achievement of the placeCityLisbon objectives,

–  having regard to action in the field of culture, in the context of the Culture 2007 programme (2007-2013),

–  having regard to its resolution of 10 April 2008 on a European agenda for culture in a globalising world[1],

–  having regard to its resolution of 10 April 2008 on cultural industries in placeEurope[2],

–  having regard to Rule 108(5) of its Rules of Procedure,

A.   whereas the cultural soul of placeEurope is becoming increasingly important as a means of bringing Europeans together,

B.   whereas the cultures of Europe are strategic factors in placeEurope's development at a local, regional and national levels, as well as at the level of central European institutions,

C.   whereas cities and regions are becoming European players as they share the European idea and contribute to the development of the European Union,

D.   whereas culture projects based on civil society initiatives appear to be effective in strengthening and developing the regions,

E.   whereas regional conferences are an excellent way for civic initiatives to put forward their projects and proposals, exchange best practices and conduct dialogue between responsible parties,

1.   Calls on the Commission to present the Green Paper with a possible range of measures for contemporary cultural activities aimed at strengthening development in European regions;

2.   Calls on the Commission to support regional conferences, together with regional authorities and local civil society;

3.   Calls for action and awareness campaigns about the role of culture projects for regional development;

4.   Calls on the parties concerned to work towards speedy and efficient implementation of such projects;

5.   Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Commission and the Committee of the Regions.