Launch of the EU’s Strategy for International Cultural Relations

Background:

The adopted Strategy is in line with one of the priorities outlined by the President of the European Commission Jean-Claude Juncker in his 2014 Political Guidelines - to make the European Union a stronger global actor.

The Commission unveiled its plans to connect this Strategy with the EU's Global Strategy, prepared by the High Representative for Foreign Policy. It also announced the intention to propose the organisation of a European Year of Cultural Heritage in 2018.

Culture in EU external relations is one of the three pillars of the European Agenda for Culture (2007). Developing a strategic approach in this field has been a priority of the Council's Work Plans for Culture since 2011.

To help the EU implement the strategy and create synergies among all EU stakeholders (EU delegations, national cultural institutes and foundations, private and public enterprises, civil society), a Cultural Diplomacy Platform was set up in February 2016, focusing on strategic countries.

The European Commisison adopted on 8 June 2016 its 'Strategy for international cultural relations' jointly with the High Representative for Foreign Policy. The Communication aims at encouraging cultural cooperation between the European Union and its partner countries and promoting a global order based on peace, rule of law, freedom of expression, mutual understanfing and respect for fundamental values.

The document proposes a strategic framework for deeper and more effective international cultural relations as well as a new model for cooperation with member states, national cultural institutes, private and public operators from the EU and its partner countries.

• Primary Source

European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: MEMO/16/2075, 08.06.16: A new strategy to put culture at the heart of EU international relations http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_MEMO-16-2075_en.htm

EurActiv, 09.06.16: UNESCO’s Bokova praises Commission’s new cultural protection strategy http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/unescos-bokova-praises-commissions-new-cultural-protection-strategy/

EurActiv, 15.06.17: [Opinion] EU cultural diplomacy must be used as a peace-building and soft power tool http://www.euractiv.com/section/languages-culture/opinion/eu-cultural-diplomacy-must-be-used-as-a-peace-building-and-soft-power-tool/

European Commission: DG Culture: Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations https://ec.europa.eu/culture/policies/strategic-framework/strategy-international-cultural-relations

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