a Cultural Dimension to the EU’s External Policies

This is the second part of a preliminary examination to ascertain whether there is sufficient interest in Member States for the development of a coherent cultural dimension to EU external policies. It builds on an initial literature survey a Cultural Component as an integral part of the EU’s Foreign Policy?

Its task has been to verify whether the reasonably encouraging findings that emerged from the first study were true in practice, by interrogating stakeholders in six diverse EU countries: Denmark, France, Latvia, Poland, Portugal and the UK.

In at least six areas, this study indicates, collective and co-ordinated action would have beneficial impacts on the global presence of the EU:

1. Building sustainable cultural co-operation with countries beyond the EU;
2. Strengthening understanding between peoples through intercultural dialogue;
3. Disseminating information and promoting EU and Member States visibility;
4. Promoting trade in Europe’s cultural industries;
5. Promoting Europe’s expertise in heritage;
6. Embedding culture in development.