Bruxelles, 02.10.2020.
In the meeting of the Committee on Culture and Education (CULT), Member of the European Parliament Željana Zovko participated in the discussion on the special report of the European Court of Auditors on the European Union’s investment in cultural sites.
Zovko welcomed the report and acknowledged the conclusions stressing the need for an increased European coordination. She stated that the cultural sites are often too depending the efforts of the local population and that they should not depend on economic benefits as mass tourism puts world heritage sites in danger.
During the session, Zovko asked the European Court of Auditors to elaborate on their recommendation to increase the role of private funding and investing in cultural sites. She called for a balanced approach in this regards, since some member states are not in an equal position to have their private sectors investing in cultural projects.
As rapporteur for the Commission’s proposal to extend the status of European Capitals of Culture, Zovko asked whether European Capitals of Culture were included in this report. “The combination of cultural heritage and these investments in cultural sites should be taken into account when creating a strategy for future EU investments in cultural sites.” Zovko concluded.