Common position on RAPHAEL programme
The Council of the European Union has published the text of its common position on the proposed Decision establishing a Community action programme in the field of cultural heritage - the RAPHAEL programme (1997-2000). The Decision recognizes the importance of cultural heritage in the European context and the need to both to preserve it and maintain the public's access to it (including for those who face particular problems of access) in order to contribute to greater mutual understanding and respect. Article 128 of the Treaty identifies cultural heritage as a specific field of action. The Decision identifies several areas in which Community action can contribute to better preservation of cultural heritage. One of the specific aims of the programme is to encourage transnational cooperation in developing new technologies for application in the various heritage categories and disciplines and in preserving traditional cultural heritage trades and techniques. In this context the programme will support research, at Community level, on the preservation of cultural heritage in collaboration with the RTD programmes of the Fourth Framework Programme. It will also promote the use of advanced information and communications technologies and services in improving public access.