WRITTEN QUESTION No. 2004/97 by Francisca BENNASAR TOUS to the Commission. The European cultural heritage
C 76/66 EN Official Journal of the European Communities 11. 3. 98 (98/C 76/151) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2004/97 by Francisca Bennasar Tous (PPE) to the Commission (11 June 1997) Subject: The European cultural heritage Does the Commission consider that contemporary art is part of the cultural heritage of the European Union? In what cultural or arts programmes is it included and what kind of measures are envisaged to preserve this aspect of the heritage? Answer given by Mr Oreja on behalf of the Commission (4 September 1997) The process of incorporating works of contemporary art into the cultural heritage is constantly evolving, making it difficult to define the line of demarcation between the two. Without prejudice to the powers of the Member States to define the two areas, the Commission would inform the Honourable Member that the Community programmes, in existence or being adopted, which could encompass contemporary art are the programme to support artistic and cultural activities having a European dimension (Kaleidoscope) (1) and the Community action programme in the field of cultural heritage (Raphael) (2), subject however to the objectives and definitions laying down the scope of the two programmes (Article 2 of Kaleidoscope and Articles 2 and 3 of Raphael). With regard to the question of whether the future Raphael programme in general and the conservation measures it provides for in particular, could apply to contemporary art, the Commission feels that given the current formulation of its proposal this vast field should not automatically be considered to be excluded from the scope of the programme. (1) Decision 719/96/EC of 29 March 1996, OJ L 99, 20. 4. 1996. (2) COM(96) 333; OJ C 265, 12. 9. 1996. (98/C 76/152) WRITTEN QUESTION E-2021/97 by Carlos Robles Piquer (PPE) to the Commission (11 June 1997) Subject: Continued Japanese cooperation in basic brain research In the middle of April 1997 48 research grants and 160 two-year post-doctoral scholarships were granted for 1997 by the Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP), the Scientific Council of which is chaired by the French Professor Pierre Chambon. The Board of Trustees chaired by Dr Kozo Iizuka announced that the budget for 1997 would amount to $ 47 million, 80% of which would still be provided by Japan, whilst the United States and the European Union would provide 10% each. Aid was first granted in 1990 and two assessments (ARA and PREST) were carried out recently. Can the Commission say whether it agrees with the positive scientific evaluation given by these assessments? Furthermore, does the Commission consider that the same level of European participation should be maintained in this non-profit-making organization, which is devoted to international cooperation in basic research into the brain and biological functions? Answer given by Mrs Cresson on behalf of the Commission (1 August 1997) The European contribution to the Human frontier science programme (HFSP) is shared among those Member States participating in the world economic summits. The Community and Switzerland are management supporting parties. The Community contributes ECU 800 000, i. e. approximately 2% of the 47 million US dollars budget for 1997