Culture 2000 programme: extention to 2006

PURPOSE: to amend Decision 508/2000/EC and extend the "Culture 2000" programme.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Decision 626/2004/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council amending Decision 508/2000/EC establishing the Culture 2000 programme.

CONTENT: the Council adopted this Decision which extends the "Culture 2000" programme for another 2 years. The "Culture 2000" programme was set up as a financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation for the period running from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2004. Its objective was to support cooperation between creative artists, cultural operators, private and public promoters, cultural networks and cultural institutions of the Member States and other participant States, with a view to promoting a cultural area common to the European peoples. In order to ensure the continuity of this action, "Culture 2000" is now extended until 31 December 2006. Moreover, the Council agrees on setting the overall budget for the extended "Culture 2000" programme at EUR 236.5 million.

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 23 April 2004.