Brussels: Deputy Minister of Culture, Vasiliki Kassianidou, emphasized the significance of culture as a core element of European integration during a presentation of the Cypriot Presidency's priorities for the Council of the European Union.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the presentation highlighted culture not as a supplementary policy but as a foundational pillar essential for fostering dialogue and a shared European identity.
During the European Parliament's Committee on Culture and Education session, Kassianidou asserted that culture provides a tangible and experiential space where European Union values come to life for citizens both within and outside Europe. She underscored the importance of collaboration in promoting cultural issues, noting that culture and media are critical arenas for European democracy, freedom of expression, and citizen trust. Kassianidou recalled that as early as 2012, the Council had aimed to integrate culture into the core of public policies, a legacy still relevant today.
Kassianidou also introduced the Culture Compass for Europe, a strategic policy framework designed to place culture at the heart of European policymaking, thereby enhancing cohesion. The Cypriot Presidency aims to advance discussions and secure the adoption of the accompanying Joint Declaration during its term.
The Deputy Minister discussed the AgoraEU program, which aims to fund culture, media, and civil society as essential infrastructures for European democracy, crucial for resilience amid geopolitical tensions and disinformation threats. She emphasized that supporting these sectors is a necessity, not a luxury, for the EU's democratic resilience.
Furthermore, Kassianidou highlighted the European Capitals of Culture initiative as a successful project with significant social, urban, and international benefits. She expressed readiness to begin discussions on a new legal framework for post-2033, pending its proposal during the Cypriot Presidency.
Another key priority is laying the groundwork for the new Cultural Work Program post-2027. Kassianidou explained that discussions in the Council will focus on important issues for the cultural and creative sectors over the next three years. She also emphasized the importance of media literacy and information space resilience as cultural and educational policies under the European Democracy Shield.
Kassianidou announced plans for an informal meeting of Culture Ministers in Cyprus to discuss cultural rights protection and combat illicit trafficking of cultural goods, which threatens cultural heritage and international security. She stressed the need for coordinated action and expertise exchange to address these challenges.
The Cypriot Presidency aims to contribute to shaping a Europe that invests in culture, knowledge, and values as much as in economic strength and security. Kassianidou concluded by expressing her commitment to working closely with the European Parliament and ensuring financial support for artists and creative sectors, emphasizing culture as a unifying factor for EU member states.