Preserving peace, preventing conflicts, and strengthening international security are part of the EU’s key external action objectives.

Culture contributes to these efforts as an enabler of peace, a catalyst for sustainable development, and a bridge between people. 87% of Europeans agree that culture and cultural exchanges develop greater understanding and tolerance in the world (source: Special Eurobarometer 562).

Enabling peace, working in partnership

Over the past two decades, the EU has actively engaged in preventing conflicts and promoting sustainable peace beyond its borders. Europeans see peace as the value that best represents the EU, followed by democracy and respect for the rule of law, democracy and fundamental rights.

International cultural relations are integral to the EU’s foreign relations, enlargement, neighbourhood and development policies, and the EU draws on culture to foster mutual understanding, build trust, and promote universal values.

In the current fragile geopolitical landscape, with foreign information manipulation and interference, culture is increasingly becoming a strategic domain of influence. On the global stage, some countries are actively using culture to shape perceptions and identities to legitimise political objectives.

To remain resilient and credible, the EU must acknowledge and respond to this reality by reinforcing its value-driven approach in its international cultural relations, leveraging its own rich cultural diversity as a strategic asset that strengthens external action, fosters societal resilience, stability, reconciliation and contributes to our collective security.

Key actions that contribute to the EU’s external relations

• together with the High Representative / Vice President of the EU
  • update the EU strategy on international cultural relations
  • leverage the “team Europe” approach for culture to encourage the pooling of EU’s and EU countries’ resources in culture and cultural heritage
• start a new phase of the EU4Culture programme in the Eastern Neighbourhood joint initiative
• launch a Euro-Mediterranean initiative for culture, sport and tourism in the context of the Pact for the Mediterranean