The EU signs the first declaration on culture

The European Commission, Parliament and Council have signed their first joint declaration on culture, setting out what they say should guide EU cultural policy in the coming years.

Culture has long struggled to compete for attention in Brussels, as defence, migration, energy and competition have dominated the political agenda.

But the new one STATEMENTpublished on Thursday, sends a strong signal to the sector. It says that culture is “a public good” and “a driving force for Europe’s socio-economic and territorial fabric” with an “intrinsic, social, civic and economic value and transformative potential”.

In short, it’s about whether an artist can afford the rent, whether a theater can survive outside a capital, and whether Europe still sees creativity as part of democracy rather than a luxury extra.

A statement is not a law. It does not force governments to spend more. And it won’t suddenly make life easier for an actor in Lisbon or a museum worker in Tallinn.

But politically, he says artists should be able to work without censorship or political pressure, and cultural workers should have fairer wages and better social protection.

“Our culture is at the core of our identity. As well as a source of Europe’s economic and geopolitical strength,” said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The document outlines 12 principles for EU cultural policy, including the link between “culture, the arts and education” and their impact on “impacts on the health and well-being of individuals and communities”.

A full section addresses AI, which should “support human creativity” rather than replace it, adding that Europe should look at how creators are paid when their work is used in the digital economy and protect intellectual property rights.

The statement is inserted into the breadth of the Commission Compass of Culture for Europe, a strategy that aims to guide the EU’s long-term cultural policy, launched at the end of 2025.

(aw)