Declaration in favour of a European Charter of Culture

We, the representatives of the European Union Member States, convinced that culture is at the origin of the Europe in which we are living and represents a fundamental aspect of the European identity and citizenship, undertake to make culture an essential priority of the European construction process.

We reaffirm that culture also contributes to economic development, employment and social and territorial cohesion and to Europe's influence in the world.

We are convinced that the Constitutional Treaty will make it easier to implement this priority by strengthening the Union institutions and particularly by making the protection of cultural diversity and traditions of the peoples of Europe one of the aims of the European Union.

We reaffirm that the protection of cultural and linguistic diversity is a fundamental objective of our joint action, as we are invited to do by the Union motto "United in diversity".

In this framework, we reaffirm that implementation of policies of the European Union and its Member States, which have a cultural and linguistic impact, reflects the following principles in particular:

- recognition of the specificity of cultural and audiovisual goods and services, which are not ordinary commodities;

- subsidiarity, in accordance with the internal organisation of the Member States and the division of cultural competences within each State;

- the right of the Member States, Regions, districts and other local government bodies to implement, within their respective powers, policies and measures they consider appropriate to preserve and develop their cultural and artistic expressions;

- the horizontal recognition of the specificity of audiovisual and other cultural goods and services when implementing any Union policy in order to protect and promote the diversity of cultures. This principle applies particularly to policies regarding:

? the internal market and competition, particularly with regard to the review of the compatibility of public aid with the internal market;

? foreign trade; newly negotiated trade agreements on audiovisual and cultural services will have to be approved unanimously by the Member States when likely to affect the cultural and linguistic diversity of the European Union.

- the contribution of culture to sustainable development, to solidarity between the peoples and to free and fair trade, particularly in order to restore the balance of flows and trade in cultural goods at a global scale. The European Union must promote intercultural dialogue among its Member States and with third countries.

- Recognition of the special role of public cultural institutions in the Member States to preserve and promote the diversity of artistic expression and cultural content, as well as to affirm the diversity of media and opinions intrinsic to democratic societies.

We also reaffirm the need to guarantee adequate funding for European cultural projects, institutions and networks.

We are convinced that compliance with and active implementation of these principles can make culture a definite political project for Europe. Based upon the preservation and promotion of cultural diversity, this project will strengthen the feeling of a European identity, awareness among all European citizens that they belong to a community of values and their will to build a common future together.

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