Eleven MEPs have called on the European Commission and the Council of the EU to “put forward again the fundamental role of culture for the future of the European project”, as Monday 19 June marks the 40th anniversary of the adoption of the Solemn Declaration on European Union in Stuttgart.
This recognition, they emphasise, must also be reflected in “enhanced political engagement and proper financial support for and structural cooperation on cultural policy”.
They are therefore calling on the Commission to update the EU’s cultural policy, specifically in terms of ensuring the sector recovers and remains resilient, and to include cultural heritage elements in all EU policies. They also call on the Commission to increase the European funds dedicated to these issues, namely Erasmus+, Europe Creative, the European Solidarity Corps and the “Citizens, Equality, Rights and Values” (CERV) programme.
More broadly, they encourage the two institutions to update the objectives of the Stuttgart Declaration, so that they reflect historical, economic, technological and societal developments since 1983.
The MEPs, from the S&D, Renew Europe and The Left groups, sent their joint declaration to Commission Vice-President Margarítis Schinás.
To see the declaration, go to https://aeur.eu/f/7kz (Original version in French by Hélène Seynaeve)