Answer given by Mr Navracsics on behalf of the Commission

5.3.2015

1. The Commission agrees with the Honourable Member on the importance of safeguarding cultural heritage. Article 167(2) nonetheless makes clear that ‘Action by the Union shall be aimed at encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, supporting and supplementing their action’. The safeguarding of cultural heritage is therefore primarily the responsibility of Member States. Within the limits of its competences, in 2014 the Commission adopted the communication ‘Towards an integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe’[1] outlining an integrated approach towards the protection and upgrade of cultural heritage at all policy levels.

2. The Commission works closely with the Council to promote the safeguarding of heritage. Last November the Council adopted Conclusions on participative governance for cultural heritage, in response to the Commission's Communication mentioned above. The adoption of further Council recommendations is not envisaged.

3. In 2013 the Living Cabanyal Archive received the EU Prize for Cultural Heritage/Europa Nostra Award in the category of education, training and awareness-raising. However, the Commission is not in a position to intervene with respect to the protection of the Cabanyal neighbourhood, which is a matter for the competent authorities in Valencia.

• [1] http://ec.europa.eu/culture/library/publications/2014-heritage-communication_en.pdf