27.1.2001 Official Journal of the European Communities L 26/1 (Acts whose publication is obligatory) DECISION No 163/2001/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 19 January 2001 on the implementation of a training programme for professionals in the European audiovisual programme industry (MEDIA-Training) (2001-2005) THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL OF THE EUROPEAN UNION, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, and in particular Article 150(4) thereof, Having regard to the proposal from the Commission ('), Having regard to the opinion of the Economic and Social Committee (%), Having regard to the opinion of the Committee of the Regions (3), Acting in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 251 of the Treaty (%), Whereas: (1) From 6 to 8 April 1998, the Commission, in coopera- tion with the Presidency-in-office, held a European audiovisual conference on ‘Challenges and opportunities of the digital age’ in Birmingham. This consultation process highlighted the need for an improved programme of training in the audiovisual sector which concentrated on all the new aspects of the digital age. The Council of 28 May 1998 took note of the final conclusions of the said conference and called for new schemes to be developed to encourage a strong and competitive programme industry. (2)  The Report of the High-Level Group on Audiovisual Policy of 26 October 1998, entitled ‘The Digital Age: European Audiovisual Policy’, concluded that, in this environment, both initial and continuous training in the audiovisual sector should be strengthened. (3)  The challenges of production, distribution and avail- ability of European audiovisual content were the main topics discussed at the Forum on Audiovisual Policy entitled ‘European content for the digital millennium’ () O] C 150, 30.5.2000, p. 59. () O] C 168, 16.6.2000, p. 8. () O] C 317, 6.11.2000, p. 60. (*) Opinion of the European Parliament of 6 July 2000 (not yet published in the Official Journal), Council Common Position of 23 November 2000 (O) C 375, 28.12.2000, p. 44) and Decision of the European Parliament of 13 December 2000. organised in Helsinki on 10 and 11 September 1999 by the Presidency-in-office in cooperation with the Commission. (4)  The seminar ‘Training for the new millennium’ held by the Presidency-in-office in cooperation with the Commission in Oporto on 10 and 11 April 2000 stressed in its conclusions that efforts in training are required to facilitate the growth and desirable internatio- nalisation of the European audiovisual industry. (5 In the Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council entitled ‘Audio- visual policy: next steps’, the Commission recognises the considerable impact on employment which the digital age will have in the audiovisual industry. (6)  The Green Paper on ‘The Convergence of the Telecom- munications, Media and Information Technology Sectors, and the Implications for Regulation’ recognises that the emergence of new services will lead to the creation of new jobs. Adapting to the new markets requires staff trained in the use of new technologies. The Commission's public consultation on the Green Paper confirmed the demand for specialised vocational training adapted to the needs of the market. (7)  In its Conclusions of 27 September 1999 on the results of the public consultation on the Green Paper (°), the Council called upon the Commission to take account of those results when drawing up proposals for measures to strengthen the European audiovisual sector, including the multimedia sector. (8)  The European Council held in Luxembourg on 20 and 21 November 1997 recognised that continuous educa- tion and vocational training can make a major contribu- tion to the employment policies of the Member States with a view to improving suitability for employment, adaptability and the spirit of enterprise, and promoting equality of opportunities. () O] C 283, 6.10.1999, p. 1.