The European Parliament has made a robust appeal for a European strategy on international cultural relations. In a non-legislative resolution adopted on Wednesday 5 July. it also said that a specific budget line should also be dedicated to this issue as part of the next Multiannual Financial Framework.
The resolution was adopted with 462 votes in favour, 137 against and 58 abstentions. This follows the communication, “Towards and EU strategy in the international cultural relations domain” presented by the European Commission last June. The text aims to encourage cultural cooperation between the Union and partner countries, as well as promote a global order based on peace and other EU values.
The resolution was jointly prepared by the foreign affairs committee and its counterpart responsible for culture and education. It welcomes this document with interest, whilst regretting that it does not contain any thematic or geographical priorities or have any concrete objectives or mention any of the groups targeted. In this regard, it calls on the Commission and the High Representative, Federica Mogherini, to put forward annual and multiannual action plans in this area, which should include “action, thematic and geographic strategic priorities, as well as common objectives”. MEPs also call for the allocation of appropriate human and financial resources to the European External Action Service (EEAS) for international culture relations and to set up a European programme promoting international mobility and cultural exchanges.
In its clauses, the resolution recognises the need to create a response mechanism to emergency situations in an effort to identify and prevent the destruction of cultural heritage and the displacement of cultural goods.
It should also be pointed out that next week, the European Commission will be presenting new proposals to tackle the illegal trade in cultural goods, in compliance with its action plan of last February for stepping up the fight against the funding of terrorism in 2016. A certificated system could possibly be introduced for imports of cultural goods into the EU, as well as guidance for stakeholders, such as museums and the art market, in addition to customs measures. (Original version in French by Sophie Petitjean)