European heritage

France calls for EU to pool resources to protect ‘European heritage’

In light of the Notre Dame fire, Emmanuel Macron wants EU countries to work together to safeguard historical sites.

By CARMEN PAUN

France wants to set up a "cooperation mechanism" within the EU whereby countries could pool resources and know-how to better protect "European heritage," in light of the Notre Dame cathedral fire.

French President Emmanuel Macron will invite EU culture and European affairs ministers to meet in Paris on May 3 to discuss creating such a mechanism, French EU Affairs Minister Amélie de Montchalin told Le Journal du Dimanche. The idea is for countries to be able to offer each other assistance and expert advice if a site like the Notre Dame is at risk.

De Montchalin said Macron made the proposal "because our partners, who understand our emotion, wish to contribute by our side."

"They themselves have been confronted with situations jeopardizing their heritage, for example, the British faced large fires in public buildings; Italians are well aware of the consequences of earthquakes," she said.

De Montchalin said the idea would be similar to how EU countries currently may offer one another support if there is a disaster, for example lending fire-fighting planes in case of a fire. To protect historical sites, the EU could set up a network of experts that would be available to those in need, de Montchalin said.

The EU's regional development funds are already used for similar purposes, "but not always and not enough," she said.

At the May meeting, each country will be asked to present their national practices for protecting heritage, she said. They will also be asked to name one or two places in their country that are "representative of Europe" and that are in need of protection.