Ministers back EU programme for sports

At an informal meeting last week, EU ministers welcomed the Commission’s White Paper on Sport and highlighted the significant novelties in European sports policy brought about by the new Lisbon Treaty.

EU sports ministers met on 25 October 2007 to discuss the recent changes in the field of European sports-related policies. Stressing the significance of recent developments, the ministers welcomed the Commission’s white paper and the accompanying action plan, published earlier in the summer. 

They also said that the Lisbon Treaty – the first EU treaty that refers to a specific EU competence on sport – meant that specific and concrete changes will now take place. Until now, sports ministers could only meet informally with powers limited to political discussions, but they are finally to have formal meetings thanks to the new treaty. “This is a qualitative leap in the decision-making remits of ministers in this ambit,” said the Portuguese presidency.

The ministers agreed that there should and will be a European programme for sports. The way for such a programme has already been paved in the action plan accompanying the white paper, which suggests that many existing programmes could be mobilised to that end. 

Furthermore, ministers discussed future priorities for action on sport and combating doping, underlined that sport is autonomous and can organise the dealings of its federations itself, widely recognised the social role of sport and in particular the health-enhancing role of physical activity.

Ministers were also keen to see the report that the Commission is planning on the financing of sport. According to the Commission, the report will consider different levels of funding through, for example, gambling and gaming and TV rights.

To fully engage in a dialogue with all sports stakeholders at all levels in Europe, the ministers highlighted the possibility of establishing a European Sports Forum as a natural step for ensuring participation and inclusiveness.

A Commission representative said that member states’ warm welcome of the White Paper on Sport will now allow the EU executive to prepare for its implementation in the new treaty once it is ratified.

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