Cultural and Audiovisual Council approves MEDIA II The Cultural and Audiovisual Council, meeting in Luxembourg on 21 June 1995, approved the MEDIA II programme, which aims to encourage the development of the European audiovisual programme industry. The 1996-2000 MEDIA II programme has three priorities: - Training of European... The Cultural and Audiovisual Council, meeting in Luxembourg on 21 June 1995, approved the MEDIA II programme, which aims to encourage the development of the European audiovisual programme industry. The 1996-2000 MEDIA II programme has three priorities: - Training of European audiovisual professionals; - The development of production projects destined for European and international markets; - The transnational distribution of European audiovisual films and programmes. Concentration on these three priorities should have significant effects in this sector, which is highly important both from the cultural and the economic point of view. Current estimates indicate that the sector may account for the creation of 2 million jobs in Europe during the next few years. The programme has funding of ECU 310,000 million, an increase of 110,000 million to allow for the increased research element. Although, as a general rule, MEDIA II only covers 50% of the cost of activities, it should act as a catalyst for the development of the programme industry. The adoption of MEDIA II responds to the concerns expressed by the professionals in the sector at the European Audiovisual Conference held a year ago.
