What is the competence of the EU in the cultural area?
EU action in the field of culture is based on Article 151 of the Treaty. Member States retain the main responsibility in the field of culture. Moreover, in many countries, culture is largely dealt with at regional or local levels. In full respect of the principle of subsidiarity, action taken at EU level in this field shall support and supplement the actions of the Member States (Art. 151(2)), foster cooperation with third countries (Art. 151(3)), and take cultural aspects into account in other EU programmes and policies (151(4)) in order to simultaneously preserve cultural diversity and bring common heritage to the fore. The common European agenda for culture builds on this article around the following objectives: promotion of cultural diversity and inter-cultural dialogue, promotion of culture as a catalyst for creativity in the framework of the Lisbon Strategy, as well as promotion of culture as a vital element in the EU’s international relations.
