Community action programme 1997-1998 in the fields of books and reading, ARIANE

The Culture Committee approved a recommendation for second reading which aims to provide financial support for the translation of books and other reading materials (Ariane programme). Members of the Committee, together with its rapporteur, Mrs Nana MOUSKOURI, strongly criticized the Council's proposal to cut Ariane's budget from ECU 34 million for 5 years to ECU 7 million for 2 years. The Committee accepted the reduction of the duration of the programme, but demanded that its financial framework should be raised to ECU 10.5 million. A year after the programme has been in operation, the Commission should prepare an assessment report on the results achieved, including the impact of the dissemination of literature in less-widely used languages. If Ariane proves to be successful, the Commission should present a concrete proposal for its continuation, so that the European Parliament and the Council can take a decision before the programme has expired. �