§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport if she will list the programmes and schemes funded by her Department aimed at enhancing inter-cultural understanding among EU member states. [97897]
§ Mr. CabornThe Department does not contribute directly to any EU-funded programme or scheme aimed at enhancing inter-cultural understanding or co-operation among EU member states. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer holds responsibility for the United Kingdom's contribution to the EC Budget, and from this budget the following programmes are funded:
Culture 2000, which aims to foster and fund cooperation between artistic and cultural organisations and projects within the European Union and the Candidate Countries;Media Plus, the aim of which is to strengthen the competitiveness of the European audiovisual industry by training of professionals, development of production projects, and distribution and promotion of cinematographic works and audiovisual programmes throughout the EU and candidate countries.