Written declaration on the value of books in European culture and the need to control their cost

The European Parliament,

– having regard to Article 151 of the Treaty (Title XII - Culture),

– having regard to Rule 116 of its Rules of Procedure,

A. having regard to its Resolution 2001/2061(INI) on the fixing of book prices, the importance of culture for new generations, the importance of lifelong training in society at large and the impact of globalisation, which undermines the principle of 'unity in diversity' which forms the basis of EU policies,

B. whereas in order to tackle the new challenges it is necessary to have information and the critical capacities to assess it, whereas in order to make a reality of European citizenship it will be necessary for different cultures to live together and engage in dialogue and whereas it is only possible to be truly free through knowledge and reading,

1. Calls on Member States and the Commission to promote the commitment to culture of the family, schools and society in order to encourage young people to read; calls on them to allocate sufficient resources to the promotion of books, using tax incentives, to promote during the Year of Intercultural Dialogue initiatives for the circulation of ideas and cultural content, including in lesser-used languages, which help to strengthen the European identity;

2. Calls on the Commission to promote, in accordance with the Lisbon Agenda, measures in support of SMEs with family traditions and historical value to the Member State and the use of technologies to compete with the US market, where prices are 20 to 50% lower; calls on the Member States to increase funding of translation, which is currently limited to € 1.5 m, a sum too small to cover the needs of EU Member States and candidate countries;

3. Instructs its President to forward this declaration, together with the names of the signatories, to the Council and Commission.