Orphaned works / Budget 2013 / Foreign policy

Over Europe there are works that form part of our history but to which access is blocked as the person owning the copyright can't be traced. It's an archive that MEPs want to have opened up by digitising it and making it available through bodies such as museums and libraries. They believe it's wrong to waste a valuable resource. We want to open the doors to books, photos, magazines, newspapers, recordings, audio recordings, films and so on. It's not unusual for the EU institutions to disagree over the budget. As the Cypriot Presidency explained to MEPs, EU governments want to limit the increase in spending next year – on things like agriculture, structural funds and research – to just 2.79%, almost €133 billion. Most MEPs say the budget must be big enough to meet the EU's promises. In order to pay the bills that the European Commission is already receiving, bills linked to the commitments that have already been made, we need more money. It's about the credibility of the EU. It's about fulfilling the promises to beneficiaries like universities, researchers, for example. The EP will adopt its final position on the budget in October. The EU needs a more comprehensive, strategic concept for its foreign policy. MEPs fear its effectiveness is being undermined by the ongoing financial crisis and want a more consistent approach, backed by financial and diplomatic resources. Wednesday's vote follows Tuesday's debate with Foreign Policy chief Catherine Ashton and was intended to send her a message, calling for the EU to punch its weight better.

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