The application of competition rules to state aids for culture

Conclusions

There is clearly no overarching definition of culture. Insofar as culture and cultural objectives are discussed, this seems to be from the viewpoint of the individual Member States rather than from a pan-European perspective and it would thus seem that diversity is emphasised rather than the common cultural heritage. More particularly the Commission approaches culture within a sectoral approach: thus there is a line of decisions on film, another on heritage. Particularly within the film sector there seems to be a reasonable degree of clarity as to the application of the rules. It is not clear whether exactly the same approach is taken between these different sectors, given this approach, particularly with the level of impact and territorialisation between the sectors. Finally, it seems that culture is considered purely from the perspective of an exception to the normal state aid rules, albeit one in which the Commission, assuming a wide discretion, allows Member States a seemingly broad scope in which to define the terms of their cultural policy objectives.