2022/2047(INI) | [ParlTrack]

Draft opinion
Recital A (new)

A. whereas culture and access to culture are fundamental elements for freedom and respect for human rights;

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Reiterates that culture and cultural heritage can play a key role in promoting peace, democracy and sustainable development by fostering tolerance, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and mutual understanding;

Amendment 11 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Stresses that culture includes local customs and traditions, such as farming practices or certain traditional health systems in some cases;

Amendment 12 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Stresses the need to protect cultural diversity and promote it as a condition for fruitful dialogue between countries and cultures; recalls that the EU has committed to contribute to the implementation of the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Notes that the fundamental right to participate in cultural life, enshrined in Article 27.1 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is linked to certain sustainable development goals and that cultural resources contribute, in turn, to the achievement of those goals;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Recalls that culture plays a crucial role in crisis response policies, including through its contribution to economic development and employment and its role as a source of resilience and social inclusion, especially of disadvantaged and vulnerable groups;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Underlines that access to culture and education has to be ensured for people with disabilities, particularly in developing countries, to break the vicious cycle that causes their socio-cultural conditions to worsen those of their lives;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 c (new)

1c. Deplores the fact that the cultural sector was hit hard by COVID-19 restrictions, with, for example, a ‘66 per cent reduction in visitor rates to World Heritage sites in 2020’1a and that, moreover, the high prevalence of self- employment in this sector makes it particularly sensitive to changing circumstances; _________________ 1a https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0 000381524/PDF/381524eng.pdf.multi

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Welcom~~Notes the inclusion of culture as an area of intervention in the Global Challenges thematic programme under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe Regulation to foster sustainable social and economic development, and international cultural cooperation;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the inclusion of culture as an area of intervention in the Global Challenges thematic programme under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) – Global Europe Regulation to foster sustainable social and economic development, and international cultural cooperation and promote initiatives for cultural diversity; welcomes the contribution of the NDICI-Global Europe instrument to the Erasmus+ programme, notably actions aimed at countries from the Global South not associated to the Erasmus+ programme; calls on the Commission and the EEAS to report regularly to the European Parliament on the state of implementation and achieved results of the NDICI-Global Europe instrument in the field of culture and education, including through the bi- annual scrutiny process (High Level Political Dialogue) and annual reporting;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

Amendment 2 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas the Rome Declaration of the G20 Ministers of Culture in 2021 establishes the commitment of all Member States in actions to protect cultural heritage at risk in crisis areas and recognises the great potential of cultural heritage to drive climate action and sustainable development;

Amendment 20 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the Commission to launch more calls for proposals for cultural cooperation through the NDICI – Global Europe instrument and on partner countries to strengthen their cultural policies;

Amendment 21 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Calls on the Commission to ensure full monitoring of actions involving international cultural cooperation supported by the NDICI – Global Europe instrument in the 2021-2027 programming period; stresses that the performance indicators set out in the NDICI – Global Europe Regulation for culture as a specific objective should therefore be closely evaluated;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls on the EU and Member States to continue and reinforce the efforts in promoting dialogue, intercultural cooperation and cultural diversity, protecting cultural heritage, strengthening cultural and creative industries and supporting cultural policies including in the framework of development cooperation policies and its partnerships with developing countries;

Amendment 23 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Urges the Commission to provide for appropriate and decent funding for international cultural relations in existing programmes on culture and education, so that these can develop their international action in a proper way;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the integration of a specific chapter on culture under Title III (Human and Social Development) of the proposed partnership agreement between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS); recalls ~~for the strengthening of cultural programmes to stimulate job opportunities, tourism, inclusive and sustainabl~~that the EU-CARIFORUM Economic Partnership Agreement includes a separate gpro~~wth, and social cohesion, and to support the cultural sector which has been deeply impacted by the COVID- 19 pandemic~~tocol on cultural cooperation, which contains provisions on cultural exchanges and dialogue;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the integration of a specific chapter on culture under Title III (Human and Social Development) of the proposed partnership agreement between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS); underlines that cooperation in this field should also address the return, restitution and conservation of cultural works and artefacts; calls for the strengthening of cultural programmes to stimulate job opportunities, tourism, inclusive and sustainable growth, and social cohesion, to promote youth empowerment and gender equality, tackle harmful social and gender norms and stereotypes, fight against any forms of discrimination and to support the cultural sector which has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Welcomes the integration of a specific chapter on culture under Title III (Human and Social Development) of the proposed partnership agreement between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS); calls for the strengthening of cultural programmes to stimulate job opportunities, tourism, inclusive and sustainable growth, and social cohesion, to improve the working conditions of actors in the sector, including, but not solely, by limiting the use of freelance work through the national law of the states concerned1a, and to support the cultural sector which has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; _________________ 1a https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0 000381524.locale=en

Amendment 27 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

3. Welcomes the integration of a specific chapter on culture under Title III (Human and Social Development) of the proposed partnership agreement between the EU and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS); calls for the strengthening of cultural programmes to stimulate job opportunities, tourism, inclusive and sustainable growth, and social cohesion, and to support the cultural sector which has been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic; insists on the need to defend and promote cultural rights in third countries, including freedom of expression for artists, journalists, and academics;

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses that the EU has the potential to strengthen its international cultural cooperation partnerships through the Outermost Regions (ORs) and Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), which are located at geographical, cultural and linguistic crossroads around the world and maintain strong relations with partner countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, America and the Pacific; calls on the EU to design and support international cultural cooperation projects involving the ORs and OCTs in order to foster regional integration and build new partnerships with partner countries;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Underlines that to be sustainable in the long-term the EU's external cultural funding activities must imply a strong involvement of local partners - including civil society organisations - adaptation of programmes to local realities and a due consideration of the post-funding period for implementation and evaluation of projects;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas the COVID-19 crisis has shown that the cultural and creative sectors, normally vectors of social cohesion, are among the most vulnerable sectors;

Amendment 30 #

Beata KEMPA, Ryszard CZARNECKI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Stresses the need to develop new global financing mechanisms to support transparent and bottom-up led approaches to international cultural relations;

Amendment 31 #

3a. Calls for the development of new models of cooperation between the EU and developing countries, in particular with their national cultural institutions;

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls for embracing the preferential treatment for developing countries as defined by the 2005 UNESCO Convention for the promotion and the protection of the diversity of cultural expressions to create an equitable global cultural sector;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls for the upcoming Youth Action Plan in international Action to include specific measures and programmes that contribute to expose the youth of both the EU and the Global South to other cultures and languages;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage is an essential factor in ensuring its transmission to future generations; recalls that restoring cultural works and artefacts, as well as preserving traditional and ancestral know-how, including, for example, in the area of agriculture or, in some cases, medicine, promotes the respect and mutual understanding of the value of different cultures, but also promotes peace, reconciliation and dialogue; encourages the EU and its Member States to facilitate dialogue and share best practices on the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the framework of the NDICI – Global Europe Regulation.

Amendment 35 #

Catherine CHABAUD

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage is an essential factor in ensuring its transmission to future generations; recalls that restoring cultural works and artefacts promotes the respect and mutual understanding of the value of different cultures, but also promotes peace, reconciliation and dialogue; encourages the EU and its Member States to facilitate dialogue and share best practices on the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the framework of the NDICI – Global Europe Regulation. underlines the unique role of indigenous peoples and their importance in implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures, owing to their knowledge, traditional activities and complex cultural relationships with marine and coastal living and ecosystems.

Amendment 36 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural and natural heritage is an essential factor in ensuring its transmission to future generations; recalls that restoring cultural works and artefacts promotes the respect and mutual understanding of the value of different cultures, but also promotes peace, reconciliation and dialogue; encourages the EU and its Member States to facilitate dialogue and share best practices on the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural and natural heritage in the framework of the NDICI – Global Europe Regulation.

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Emphasises that the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage is an essential factor in ensuring its transmission to future generations, in particular for young people; recalls that restoring cultural works and artefacts promotes the respect and mutual understanding of the value of different cultures, but also promotes peace, reconciliation and dialogue; encourages the EU and its Member States to facilitate dialogue and share best practices on the protection, conservation and restoration of cultural heritage in the framework of the NDICI – Global Europe Regulation.

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Notes that protection of cultural heritage needs to be an integrated part of the EU external actions as a tool to promote peace and stability, inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue and mutual cultural understanding;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Insists on the importance for the EU to enhance the protection and promotion of cultural and natural heritage paying particular attention to environmental and wildlife protection while at the same level respecting the integrity and interests of indigenous people and local communities living alongside nature and wildlife on their ancestral land; calls for the NDICI- Global Europe instrument to provide adequate financing to strengthen the protection of cultural and natural heritage, with respect to the rights, including land rights of Indigenous People and Local Communities (IPLCs);

Amendment 4 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reaffirms that culture is a key element of sustainable development and an integral component of its social, economic and environmental dimensions, and long- term societal changes; recalls that culture is instrumental in the implementation of the 2030 UN Agenda and calls for strengthening the contribution of cultural actors to sustainable development through participation in enhanced dialogue, professional networks, exchanges, the recognition of the professionalism of authors, artists, cultural and creative operators, and multi- stakeholder partnerships; underlines that youth exchanges, city twinning, and partnerships in the professional field have been important vehicles to foster intercultural understanding and should be promoted by the EU in its development and foreign policies;

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls for enhanced cooperation between the private sector and public actors on the protection and preservation of cultural heritage in partner countries; recalls that the private sector contributes to the administration, financing and protection of cultural sites;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls for the interests of developing countries, which are very often despoiled of their cultural heritage as a result of conflicts, to be respected, protected and taken into account in the action plan against illicit trafficking of cultural property for 2022-2025;

Amendment 42 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Underlines that lack of proper infrastructure, professional knowledge and trained professionals can be a barrier of proper management of cultural heritage and artefacts;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Condemns any human action that damages or destroys cultural heritage; calls on the EU to promote and support cooperation with partner countries, in particular regional and local authorities and cultural actors, in order to better protect cultural heritage from conflict- related destruction and from natural disasters and climate change-related risks;

Amendment 44 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Calls for adequate funding for the protection, conservation and restauration of cultural heritage under the NDICI- Global Europe, particularly in conflict prone areas;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Calls on the EU to step up the fight against the trafficking of cultural heritage and to contribute to efforts to ensure the return and restitution of cultural goods;

Amendment 46 #

Beata KEMPA, Ryszard CZARNECKI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Welcomes the acknowledgement by certain Member States of the need to return cultural works and artefacts to their places of origin; calls for all Member States to continue or initiate processes for the restitution of cultural works and artefacts in a more consistent and timely manner; calls for the NDICI- Global Europe Regulation to effectively support the implementation of agreements for the return of cultural property to their countries of origin and to present the results of actions in this field to the European Parliament as part of the scrutiny process of the instrument; encourages the development of EU guidelines on restitution to encourage the development of necessary research, studies and exchanges for the establishment of coherent programmes for restitution of cultural works and artefacts to their countries of origin;

Amendment 47 #

Sabine VERHEYEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Reaffirms the importance of culture for diplomacy; as in a globalised, interconnected world where countries are increasingly interdependent, it can be critical to fostering peace and stability by supporting mutual understanding, trust and exposure to cultural diversity, points out that through culture, international partnerships are strengthened by enhancing international relations in many areas of cooperation;

Amendment 48 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that the EU should develop deeper and more effective international relations in the area of culture based on partnership, long-term engagement and mutual interest and understanding;

Amendment 49 #

Sabine VERHEYEN

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Emphasises that importance of the exchange of ideas, information, art and other aspects of culture among nations and their people in order to foster mutual understanding; reminds that popular culture and art play an important role in the how the country, nation or the issue is perceived; emphasises the role of cultural works for cross-linguistic and cross- border understanding; stresses that cultural works such as films or literature create links between different cultures; therefore international co-productions should be promoted;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reaffirms that culture is a key element of sustainable development and an integral component of its social, economic and environmental dimensions, and long- term societal changes; recalls that culture is instrumental in the implementation of the 2030 UN Agenda and calls for strengthening the contribution of cultural actors to sustainable development through participation in enhanced dialogue, professional networks and multi- stakeholder partnerships and supporting civil society organisations, in order to leave no one behind and support the aims and principles of the 2030 UN Agenda;

Amendment 50 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Calls for the promotion of artistic freedom of expression as a value and an endeavour of the European Union, nurturing free dialogue as well as exchange of good practices at international level;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Underlines the importance of protecting minority and indigenous languages in developing countries, since these languages are essential for ensuring the continuation and transmission of culture, the preservation of customs, the knowledge of history, the protection of the cultural identity and dignity of indigenous peoples and safeguard their traditional heritage;

Amendment 52 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Calls for the integration of adequate training, knowledge exchange and sharing of best practices into EU initiatives, including initiatives supporting education and exchange programmes;

Amendment 53 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Calls for the creation of a Cultural Visa Programme, along the lines of the existing Scientific Visa Programme, for third-country nationals, artists and other professionals in the cultural field with the aim of fostering cultural relations and eliminating obstacles to mobility in the cultural sector;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the potential value of certain national and ancestral traditions in the area of medicine, for example in the case of Madagascar, subject to adequate scientific evidence, and that such know-how and traditions are an integral part of national cultures and must, as far as possible, be promoted and preserved for the needs of future generations;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Welcomes, in this regard, initiatives such as the African Traditional Medicine Day, launched in 2003, and the national policies adopted in this area by around 40 African countries, and recalls that ‘80% of the [African] population relies on traditional medicine for their basic health needs’1a; _________________ 1 a https://www.afro.who.int/regional- director/speeches-messages/african- traditional-medicine-day-2022

Amendment 6 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reaffirms that culture, which incorporates intangible heritage (in particular, ancestral traditions and know- how) and natural and built heritage, is a key element of sustainable development and an integral component of its social, economic and environmental dimensions, and long- term societal changes; recalls that culture is instrumental in the implementation of the 2030 UN Agenda and calls for strengthening the contribution of cultural actors to sustainable development through participation in enhanced dialogue, professional networks and multi- stakeholder partnerships;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reaffirms that culture is a key element of human development and a driver of sustainable development and an integral component of its social, economic and environmental dimensions~~, and~~; recalls that culture can create jobs, stimulate growth and foster long- term societal changes; recalls that culture is instrumental in the implementation of the 2030 UN Agenda and calls for strengthening the contribution of cultural actors to sustainable development through participation in enhanced dialogue, professional networks and multi- stakeholder partnerships;

Amendment 8 #

Stéphane BIJOUX, Catherine CHABAUD, Jan-Christoph OETJEN, Charles GOERENS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Reaffirms that culture is a key element of sustainable development and an integral component of its social, economic and environmental dimensions, and long- term societal changes and evolution, and of the stability and sustainability of communities; recalls that culture is instrumental in the implementation of the 2030 UN Agenda and calls for strengthening the contribution of cultural actors to sustainable development through participation in enhanced and inclusive dialogue, professional networks and multi- stakeholder partnerships;

Amendment 9 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Recalls that international cultural cooperation is a lever for promoting EU values, including democracy, the rule of law, freedoms, human rights and gender equality, and that it offers the EU, its Member States and partner countries the opportunity to learn from cultures, good practices and know-how, to stimulate the development of cultural and creative industries and tourism, to offer employment opportunities and to strengthen social cohesion;

source: 735.794

2022/09/21 AFET 142 amendments...

Amendment 1 #

Draft opinion
Citation 1 a (new)

— having regard to the Council Conclusions of 23 May 2018 on the need to bring cultural heritage to the fore across policies in the EU,

Amendment 10 #

Draft opinion
Citation 8 a (new)

— having regard to Resolution CM/Res(2010)53 adopted by the Council of Europe establishing an Enlarged Partial Agreement (EPA) on Cultural Routes,

Amendment 100 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Stresses that Member States' engagement with third countries should be encouraged and facilitated, including in situations where they do not have diplomatic or consular representation;

Amendment 101 #

Georgios KYRTSOS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Recalls that authoritarian countries, under the pretence of cultural cooperation, attempt to perform influence operations to shape or confuse the European public debate, undermine the European democratic values and depict themselves in a positive way; recalls similarly that travelling to authoritarian countries to develop a cultural project expose cultural stakeholders to malign influence; recalls for instance China’s attempts to pressure and censor the museum of Nantes in relation to an exhibition on Genghis Kahn initially planned for 2020 or the role played by Confucius Institutes enabling China to exercise strict control over all topics related to China in the field of research and teaching, thus constituting a violation of the constitutional protection of academic freedom and autonomy;

Amendment 102 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Highlights the strategic importance for the EU to further strengthen the partnership with the EU National Institutes for Culture (EUNIC) network and United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), including via the allocation of additional financial resources;

Amendment 103 #

Georgios KYRTSOS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 b (new)

4b. Welcomes the cooperation with international and regional organisations focussing on cultural relations and cultural heritage preservation; calls to increase interaction with local actors, including religious communities and faith-based organisations;

Amendment 104 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Calls on the Commission to further strengthen the international dimension of EU programs(Erasmus, Horizon, specific delegation programmes, and the global leadership programme) and to provide adequate financial resources; recalls, in this regard, the crucial role that EU programmes in the fields of culture have as core elements in tackling disinformation and foreign interferences in third countries;

Amendment 105 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 c (new)

4c. Calls on the EEAS to produce a study into the prevalence and influence of malicious state actors in the European cultural sector as well as in international cultural relations in which the EU is involved; calls in addition the EU, its Member States and stakeholders of the cultural sector to apply the utmost vigilance when engaging in international cultural cooperation;

Amendment 106 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 d (new)

4d. Condemns Azerbaijan’s continued policy of erasing and denying the Armenian cultural heritage in and around Nagorno-Karabakh, in violation of international law and the decision of the ICJ of 7 December 2021; condemns further the renewed aggression of Azerbaijan on Armenia, which further puts at risk Armenian cultural heritage; calls for the EU to actively pressure Azerbaijan to end hostilities and to participate in efforts to protect cultural heritage at risk in Nagorno-Karabakh, notably by deploying mechanisms to facilitate UNESCO’s fact-finding mission;

Amendment 107 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for a~~n update to~~ cost-benefit analysis and independent audit to be carried out focusing on the 2016 EU strategy for international cultural relations ~~with a view to~~; questions the need for establishing a permanent structural and institutional EU dimension and developing and implementing a long- term strategy to be integrated permanently and horizontally within the EU’s external action toolbox.

Amendment 108 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

Amendment 109 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for an update to the 2016 EU strategy for international cultural relations with a view to establishing a permanent structural and institutional EU dimension and developing and implementing a long- term strategy to be integrated permanently and horizontally within the EU’s external action toolbox.; calls for the strategy update to incorporate a call for the EU to include protection of cultural heritage in its external action, which will also help to preserve peace and promote mutual tolerance and respect;

Amendment 11 #

Draft opinion
Citation 8 a (new)

— having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 1 June 2017 on combating anti-Semitism,

Amendment 110 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for an update to the 2016 EU strategy for international cultural relations with a view to establishing a coherent and ambitious permanent structural and institutional EU dimension and developing and implementing a overarching long- term strategy to be integrated permanently and horizontally within the EU’s external action toolbox.

Amendment 111 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5

5. Calls for an update to the 2016 Joint Communication “Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations" with a view to establishing a permanent structural and institutional EU dimension and developing and implementing a long- term strategy to be integrated permanently and horizontally within the EU’s external action toolbox.

Amendment 112 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls to develop an own and autonomous toolbox for EU International Cultural Relations and Cultural Diplomacy, that draw from the experience and collaborate in partnership with EUNIC and Member States’ cultural institutes abroad, with a cultural diplomacy action and International Cultural Relations based on events to be developed in a frame of cultural cooperation and co-creation, actively involving civil society and the cultural sectors of third countries societies; Stresses that this toolbox could aim to promote European culture and way of life, and to provide EU assistance on capacity building, technical and material, as well as financial, to cultural, creative and innovative sectors of third countries’ civil society;

Amendment 113 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls on the Commission and the EEAS to strengthen cooperation with the Council of Europe, particularly with the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, which in addition to its relevance for EU countries in terms of culture and tourism also constitutes an institutional tool for consolidating cultural relations with third countries, with a view to promoting the fundamental values of cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and the sustainable regional development of lesser-known destinations, at the same time as preserving their shared cultural heritage;

Amendment 114 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls for increased protection of cultural and religious heritage in the context of armed conflict, including Russia’s war against Ukraine; calls for proper international investigation of the attacks of the Russian Federation on Ukraine’s cultural and religious heritage; calls for establishing a special fund to support the reconstruction of Ukraine’s destroyed and seriously damaged cultural and religious heritage;

Amendment 115 #

Lívia JÁRÓKA, Kinga GÁL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Emphasises the importance of focusing not only on the protection of cultural heritage, but also on the development of cultural heritage, which is of particular significance for the survival of minorities, their spatial representation in this respect, the survival of their linguistic dialects and the passing on of their cultural traditions;

Amendment 116 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Encourages Member States and partner countries to engage in constructive dialogue and cooperation for the repatriation of looted artefacts around the globe to the countries of origin or former owners;

Amendment 117 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls for a further fight against international illicit trafficking of cultural goods and stresses the need to accelerate the digitisation of cultural and heritage resources;

Amendment 118 #

Maria ARENA

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Points out that culture should not be seen as a commercial commodity like any other and should not be subject to market imperatives;

Amendment 119 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls for a thorough independent audit and cost-benefit analysis of all expenditure relating to culture from the EU budget;

Amendment 12 #

— having regard to the EU Action Plan against trafficking in cultural goods,

Amendment 120 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 a (new)

5a. Calls for the creation of an EU cultural institute, similar to the Member States’ institutes like Goethe, Cervantes, Alliance Francaise, etc. with specific mission to promote the European languages, increase knowledge of European culture and disseminate European values;

Amendment 121 #

Lívia JÁRÓKA, Kinga GÁL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Emphasises the need to pay particular attention to the groups who are marginalised and live with multiple disadvantages inside and outside the European Union, especially in the Balkan region, such as members of the Roma minorities, whose cultural heritage is not sufficiently supported at all in this respect for heritage protection and future generations;

Amendment 122 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls for a more systematic involvement of religious and cultural actors in the joint conflict analyses for countries that are at risk of or facing conflict or instability, as stipulated in the Council conclusions on the integrated approach to external conflicts and crises of 22 January 2018;

Amendment 123 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Deplores the attacks on monuments of European historical figures seen in various countries around the world and calls on the EU to ensure the protection, conservation and defence of European cultural and historical heritage in all multilateral forums;

Amendment 124 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls for the creation of “100 Tourist EU Sites” initiative that will include 100 places of interest from all Member States, including a booklet to collect stamps from those sites to promote EU culture and increase tourist flows;

Amendment 125 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls on the Member States, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs to promote cooperation with third countries and relevant international organisations, in particular UNESCO;

Amendment 126 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 b (new)

5b. Calls Member States and partner countries to include a culture and trade nexus in their trade negotiations and monitor its implementation in order to further promote cultural dialogue and cooperation;

Amendment 127 #

Lívia JÁRÓKA, Kinga GÁL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Calls for the provision of priority support programmes that explore and demonstrate in all statuses of society the centuries of historical, cultural and artistic contribution to society of Roma people, for the majority and themselves, that particularly promote social dialogue between various communities, and most importantly between Roma and non- Roma people, that can replace feelings and experiences of exclusion with cultural pride as well as social inclusion positively promoting individual and community identity and self-identity, which could have a clearly positive impact on policy aspects of education, employment, healthcare and housing too;

Amendment 128 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Calls on third countries to cooperate with the relevant international organisations, especially the Council of Europe and UNESCO, in order to prevent and combat illicit trafficking and the deliberate destruction of cultural heritage, while actively taking action to preserve its structural rigidity and restore its original form;

Amendment 129 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Calls for better integrating cultural and religious aspects and intensifying cooperation with relevant actors in the framework of EU’s bilateral and regional partnerships and related policies, notably with respect to Africa, Latin America, Asia, as well as the Western Balkans and EU’s Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood;

Amendment 13 #

Draft opinion
Citation 8 b (new)

— having regard to the UN General Assembly resolution of 26 January 2021 on promoting a culture of peace and tolerance to safeguard religious sites,

Amendment 130 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Urges the Member States, the Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs to increase their efforts to achieve common EU positions in multilateral for a and networks and, where appropriate, to speak with one voice on issues that have an impact on international cultural relations;

Amendment 131 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Deplores the terrorist attacks on sites forming part of world cultural heritage; calls on the EU institutions to work together with the United Nations and in particular with UNESCO for their protection and restoration;

Amendment 132 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 c (new)

5c. Calls all the Member States to sign and ratify the Nicosia Convention, the treaty on Offences relating to Cultural Property;

Amendment 133 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Stresses that improving international cultural relations should always be supported by efforts to strengthen teaching and learning about culture within the EU and its Member States, fostering intercultural and interreligious competences within the geopolitical dimension of the European Education Area and the European Research Area;

Amendment 134 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Stresses that the Member States and the Commission should facilitate, through an appropriate institutional and legal framework and support measures, the mobility of artists and cultural professionals between the EU and third countries;

Amendment 135 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Calls on third countries to respect fully the historical and cultural character of cultural and religious monuments and symbols, especially those classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites;

Amendment 136 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 d (new)

5d. Calls on the Commission to use all available levers to prevent the destruction of cultural heritage in conflict zone areas;

Amendment 137 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)

5e. Calls on the Turkish authorities to fully respect the historical and cultural character of cultural and religious monuments and symbols, especially those classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites; calls on Turkey to fully respect its international obligation to protect monuments of Alevi, Christian, Armenian, Pontian and Jewish origin;

Amendment 138 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)

5e. Calls for the creation of specific ad-hoc instruments favouring the continuation of cultural exchange programmes between the EU and third countries in conflict situations, in order to preserve people-to-people contacts and enable cultural cooperation in arts, academia, research and other relevant areas;

Amendment 139 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 e (new)

5e. Stresses the importance of developing partnerships with international organisations and institutions that promote the role of culture and cultural heritage in peace making in conflict and post-conflict areas;

Amendment 14 #

Draft opinion
Citation 8 b (new)

— having regard to the European Parliament resolution of 7 June 2022 on the 2021 Commission Report on Turkey,

Amendment 140 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 f (new)

5f. Condemns the conversion of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul in 2020, a monument internationally recognised as a historic World Heritage site and a universal symbol of Christianity, Chora Church in Istanbul and Hagia Sophia in Trabzon in 2013 into mosques by the Turkish authorities; notes with concern the recent developments with regard to the historic Panagia Soumela Monastery, which is included, on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List; recognises that the protection of cultural heritage is key to promote good neighbourly relations and maintain peace and stability in the region;

Amendment 141 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 g (new)

5g. Reiterates its call on Turkey to respect the role of the Ecumenical Patriarchate for Orthodox Christians all over the world and to recognise its legal personality and the public use of the ecclesiastical title of the Ecumenical Patriarch;

Amendment 142 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 5 h (new)

5h. Stresses the need to eliminate restrictions on the training, appointment and succession of members of the clergy, to allow the reopening of the Halki Seminary, which has been closed since 1971, and to remove all obstacles to enable it to function properly;

Amendment 15 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas culture has major potential to promote ~~the EU’s values, solidify its~~European civilisation in all the diversity of the nations of which it is formed and solidify their national identityies and ~~contribute to~~heritages in order to contribute to its influence and the fulfilment of ~~its~~the objectives of the European Union’s Member States worldwide, as well as addressing global challenges;

Amendment 16 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas cultur~~e has major potential to promote the EU’s values, solidify its identity and contribute to the fulfilment of its objectives worldwide, as well as addressing global challeng~~al diversity and intercultural dialogue form an integral part of the European Union's values and play an important role in promoting human rights, artistic freedom, respect, mutual understanding, conflict prevention, reconciliation and contribute to democratisation, good governance and more peaceful societies;

Amendment 17 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas culture has major potential to promote ~~the EU’s values, solidify its identity and contribute to the fulfilment of its objectives worldwide, as well as addressing global challeng~~European values;

Amendment 18 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas culture has major potential to promote the EU’s values, solidify its identity and contribute to the fulfilment of its objectives worldwide, as well as addressing global challenges; whereas culture is a very important driver for tourists visiting Europe from third countries and whereas it also plays an important economic role in creating jobs and contributing to regional equilibrium;

Amendment 19 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

Amendment 2 #

Harald VILIMSKY, Jaak MADISON

Draft opinion
Citation 1 a (new)

— having regard to Article 8(2) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court,

Amendment 20 #

Emmanuel MAUREL

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas culture has major potential to promote the EU’s humanist values, solidify its identity and contribute to the fulfilment of its objectives worldwide, as well as addressing global challenges;

Amendment 21 #

Draft opinion
Recital A

A. whereas culture has major potential to promote ~~the EU’s~~European values, solidify its identity and contribute to the fulfilment of its objectives worldwide, as well as addressing global challenges;

Amendment 22 #

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas culture and religion are deeply rooted in local realities and key determinants of societal and personal bonds in many of the EU’s partner countries and regions, including in Africa, Latin America, Asia and EU’s Eastern and Southern Neighbourhood; whereas developing a profound understanding of these realities and taking them fully into account could contribute to enhancing the comprehensiveness and fairness of EU’s partnerships, and to increasing the overall effectiveness of EU’s External Action;

Amendment 23 #

Kinga GÁL

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas protecting and promoting cultural heritage is an imperative for long lasting peace and security as cultural heritage is a vector for peace, reconciliation, mutual understanding, intercultural dialogue and sustainable development;

Amendment 24 #

Draft opinion
Recital A a (new)

Aa. whereas supporting culture as an engine for sustainable social and economic development benefits the EU's relationship with its partners around the world;

Amendment 25 #

Draft opinion
Recital A b (new)

Ab. whereas EU efforts towards forward-looking international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy should strive to promote values such as solidarity and fraternity, involving actors at all levels of public institutions, civil society, as well as Churches, religious associations or communities;

Amendment 26 #

Draft opinion
Recital A c (new)

Ac. whereas cultural and religious heritage is one of the most valuable drivers of social cohesion, intercultural encounter as well as economic and human development, and peace;

Amendment 27 #

B. whereas ~~clearly targeted resources for international cultural relations would greatly enhance its ability to fully develop~~the Creative Europe programme has funded the EUNIC network since 2014; notes that over EUR 5.6 million has been granted in financial support to the network by the EU since 2016; calls for a special audit and cost- benefit-analysis of the entire cultural relations approach of the EU, including preparatory and pilot projects such as the European Spaces of Culture (formerly European 'Houses' of Culture);

Amendment 28 #

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas clearly targeted resources for international cultural relations would greatly enhance its ability to fully develop and support the EU's intercultural relations as a valuable component of the diplomatic toolbox;

Amendment 29 #

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas clearly targeted resources for international cultural relations would greatly enhance its ability to fully develop; whereas culture can become a driver to promote sustainable social and economic development;

Amendment 3 #

Draft opinion
Citation 2 a (new)

— having regard to Article 167(3) and (4) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU),

Amendment 30 #

Draft opinion
Recital B

B. whereas clearly targeted resources for international cultural relations would greatly enhance its ability to fully develop, unleashing its full potential to foster mutual understanding among peoples and nations worldwide;

Amendment 31 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas culture is a key vector for addressing major global challenges and, if conceived as a bottom-up and free flow of ideas and creations, is also a fundamental tool for peace and conflict prevention and a resource for stability and regeneration in any fragile context;

Amendment 32 #

Draft opinion
Recital B a (new)

Ba. whereas the Preparatory action - European Houses of Culture - was funded by way of a grant of EUR 750 000 awarded in 2020 to the EU National Institutes for Culture , a Brussels based NGO that in 2018 received EUR 750 000 for the same purpose;

Amendment 33 #

Draft opinion
Recital B b (new)

Bb. whereas third countries’ diaspora in the EU and European diaspora in third countries can be important actors in strengthening cultural relations between the EU and other countries;

Amendment 34 #

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas the EU ~~needs to engage in international cultural relations using its own instruments to shape the cultural face of the EU worldwide and complement the work of Member States’ cultural institutes abroad~~should let Member States’ cultural institutes work without interference;

Amendment 35 #

Harald VILIMSKY, Jaak MADISON

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas the EU needs to consistently scale-up its engagement in international cultural relations devoting sufficient resources and funds to this end, and using its own instruments to shape the cultural face of the EU worldwide and complement the work of Member States’ cultural institutes abroad;

Amendment 36 #

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas ~~the EU~~Member States needs to engage in international cultural relations using ~~its~~their own instruments to shape ~~the~~Europe’s cultural face ~~of the EU worldwide and complement the work of Member States’ cultural institutes abroad~~worldwide;

Amendment 37 #

Draft opinion
Recital C

C. whereas the ~~EU needs to engage in international cultural relations using its own instruments to shape the cultural face of the EU worldwide and complement the work of Member States’ cultural institutes abroad~~'European 'Houses' of Culture' project was launched to test and implement innovative models of cooperation between European actors and local stakeholders in non-EU countries;

Amendment 38 #

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas Article 167(3) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union states that the Union and the Member States shall foster cooperation with third countries and the competent international organisations in the sphere of culture, in particular the Council of Europe;

Amendment 39 #

Draft opinion
Recital C a (new)

Ca. whereas the preservation, protection and promotion of cultural heritage is an important driver for peace, democracy and sustainable development, promotes tolerance, reconciliation and cultural coexistence;

Amendment 4 #

Draft opinion
Citation 3 a (new)

— having regard to the Council Conclusions on the Work Plan for Culture 2019-2022 of 21 December 2018,

Amendment 40 #

Draft opinion
Recital C b (new)

Cb. whereas the Cultural Routes certified by the Council of Europe pass through neighbouring countries to the east and south of the EU, candidate countries and also through some EU partner countries outside Europe, thus helping to strengthen the links between the EU and all those countries;

Amendment 41 #

Draft opinion
Recital D

D. whereas illiberal ~~and~~values, aultho~~ritari~~ugh claimed as universal, are increasingly marginalised and re~~gimes attempt to redefine international rules and values by challenging their universality and claiming them to be a weapon of cultural hegemony deployed by the EU;~~ cognised as a weapon of cultural hegemony deployed by the US and the EU under international rules of which they proclaim themselves the guarantors, but which are in reality dictated, interpreted and, where necessary, circumvented by them; whereas such a contention prompts a political reaction by liberal regimes which, in order to conceal the struggle for influence in which they are engaged, have recourse to a rhetoric of demonisation and present their own principles as true and indisputable;

Amendment 42 #

Draft opinion
Recital D

D. whereas illiberal and authoritarian regimes attempt to redefine international rules and values by challenging their universality and claiming them to be a weapon of cultural hegemony deployed by the EU; whereas these above-mentioned regimes attempt to identify the EU as a neo-colonial actor in their discourse worldwide; highlights that these regimes actions are far-reaching globally and attempt to re-define international rules and multilateralism;

Amendment 43 #

Draft opinion
Recital D

D. whereas illiberal and authoritarian regimes attempt to redefine international rules and values by challenging their universality and claiming them to be a weapon of cultural hegemony deployed by the EU; whereas in order to combat such claims it is necessary for the EU to further invest in strategic communication and visibility campaigns to promote shared values and cultural heritage;

Amendment 44 #

Harald VILIMSKY, Jaak MADISON, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Recital D

D. whereas ~~illiberal and authoritarian regimes attempt to redef~~culture, being first and foremost a value ine i~~nternational rules and values by challenging their universality and claiming them to be a weapon of cultural hegemony deployed by the EU~~tself, has positive socio-economic effects, improves the quality of life, and its positive role in external relations is gaining increasing recognition;

Amendment 45 #

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas worldwide cultural theft continues to remain a problem in the EU; whereas after 1974 in Northern Cyprus more than 60,000 cultural objects were taken abroad through looting and by vandalism on the black market; whereas more than 550 Greek Orthodox churches and monasteries have been robbed of their works of art and destroyed or converted into mosques; whereas this is intended to deliberately destroy the Christian Western cultural heritage;

Amendment 46 #

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas, in the context of conflicts and wars worldwide, there have been attacks on cultural heritage, particularly on religious sites; whereas this destruction of cultural heritage makes communities more vulnerable and restricts the exercise of their right to freedom of belief as well as freedom of thought and expression;

Amendment 47 #

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas cultural heritage has a universal dimension as a testimony of history inseparable from peoples’ identity, which the international community has to protect and preserve for future generations; whereas cultural diversity play an important role in the promotion of human rights, conflict prevention, reconciliation and counter-extremism;

Amendment 48 #

Georgios KYRTSOS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas as part of its war on Ukraine, the Russian Federation is seriously damaging and destroying Ukraine’s cultural and religious heritage; whereas deliberate attacks on cultural and religious heritage in armed conflict are considered war crimes under international law;

Amendment 49 #

Maria ARENA

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas a special system known as the ‘cultural exception’ was created in 1993 by the EU in order to protect audiovisual works and productions from commercial free trade rules;

Amendment 5 #

Draft opinion
Citation 4 a (new)

— having regard to its resolutions of 28 April2015 on the destruction of cultural sites perpetrated by ISIS/Da’esh and of 10March 2022 on the destruction of cultural heritage in Nagorno- Karabakh,

Amendment 50 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas cultural production has added value when it is based on pluralistic, free and democratic societies;

Amendment 51 #

Draft opinion
Recital D a (new)

Da. whereas intercultural dialogue is key to promote peace and fight radicalisation in Member States and in partner countries;

Amendment 52 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Draft opinion
Recital D b (new)

Db. whereas anti-Semitism is against Europe’s system of values and principles and its condemnation needs to be promoted in all aspects of the EU's international cultural relations;

Amendment 53 #

Anna-Michelle ASIMAKOPOULOU, Elissavet VOZEMBERG-VRIONIDI, Loucas FOURLAS, Vangelis MEIMARAKIS, Theodoros ZAGORAKIS, Stelios KYMPOUROPOULOS, Maria SPYRAKI, Emmanouil FRAGKOS

Dc. whereas Christian minorities in partner countries are considered an integral part of Europe’s culture and need to be respected;

Amendment 54 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. ~~Acknowledges the efforts~~Notes the cost of the Commission and the European External Action Service actions to implement the EU strategy for international cultural relations~~, demonstrating the EU’s added value and advancing cultural cooperation with partner countries~~;

Amendment 55 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Acknowledges the efforts of the Commission and the European External Action Service to implement the Joint Communication “Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations", demonstrating the EU’s added value and advancing cultural cooperation with partner countries; , as well as to develop a closer model for cooperation with Member States, national institutes for culture (EUNIC), private and public operators from the EU and its partner countries;

Amendment 56 #

Georgios KYRTSOS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1

1. Acknowledges the efforts of the Commission and the European External Action Service to implement the EU strategy for international cultural relations, demonstrating the EU’s added value and advancing cultural cooperation and relations with partner countries;

Amendment 57 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls on the Council, European External Action Service (EEAS) and Commission to mainstream culture as a strategic pillar through all EU’s external action policy areas; supports the inclusion of culture in all existing and future bilateral and multilateral agreements, with due respect for the commitments made under the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity;

Amendment 58 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Encourages the European Commission and the EEAS to properly consider the added value that a consistent involvement of civil society organisations in all efforts intended to foster cultural diplomacy can represent, and to stimulate an effective engagement of these actors in all EU endeavours;

Amendment 59 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 a (new)

1a. Calls for improved coherence of EU positions and actions at multilateral level in order to enhance the EU's effectiveness as a force for greater cohesion in international relations,

Amendment 6 #

Draft opinion
Citation 4 a (new)

— having regard to the new European Consensus on Development: "Our world, our dignity, our future" of 7 June 2017,

Amendment 60 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 1 b (new)

1b. Underlines the need to achieve synergies and complementarities between the actions undertaken by the EU and its Member States in third countries, including through their diplomatic and consular representations and the EUNIC network;

Amendment 61 #

Georgios KYRTSOS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. ~~Welcomes the development of the Cultural Relations Platform and the joint implementation of programmes allowing cultural actors and public stakeholders to develop~~Questions the need to develop a EU funded Cultural Relations Platform; welcomes cooperation between cultural actors to develop and promote innovative ideas and concrete projects, ~~fin~~enhance cultural relations and facilitate networks; emphasizes that these activities do not require funding from the EU budget to be successful;

Amendment 62 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the development of the Cultural Relations Platform and the joint implementation of programmes allowing cultural actors and public stakeholders to develop innovative ideas and concrete projects, finance cultural relations and facilitate networks; welcomes the establishment of focal points in the EU Delegations to that effect; calls on the EEAS and Commission to further strengthen their role with the objective to better coordinate EU’s cultural outreach and cooperation in partner countries, aligned with EU’s foreign policy objectives; calls on the EEAS and Commission to enhance the specific skills of the focal points needed to perform their duties at the highest level;

Amendment 63 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the development of the Cultural Relations Platform and the joint implementation of programmes allowing cultural actors and public stakeholders to get in touch and share expertise and best practices, develop innovative ideas and concrete projects, finance cultural relations and facilitate networks both within and outside EU borders; reaffirms the paramount importance of involving European cultural and education institutes in the activities of the Cultural Relations Platform;

Amendment 64 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2

2. Welcomes the creation of focal points in EU Delegations, the development of the Cultural Relations Platform and the joint implementation of programmes allowing cultural actors and public stakeholders to develop innovative ideas and concrete projects, finance cultural relations and facilitate networks;

Amendment 65 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Recognizes the efforts of the European Commission and EEAS in the protection of cultural heritage sites and the fight against illegal trafficking in cultural property; stresses the importance to integrate cultural heritage protection to the various phases of the conflict cycle;

Amendment 66 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 a (new)

2a. Calls for clarification and awareness raising, including on the role and mutual expectations of the EU institutions and Member States, as well as their diplomatic and consular representations, cultural institutes and networks, such as EUNIC, and other stakeholders;

Amendment 67 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 b (new)

2b. Urges the Council, the European Commission and EEAS to enhance the protection of the cultural heritage in conflict zones; considers that an introduction of targeted sanctions against individuals and entities responsible for destruction or purposeful damaging of the cultural heritage would be an important step in establishing deterrence and ensuring accountability for such acts;

Amendment 68 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 c (new)

2c. Highlights that European culture could be best represented and identified by means of a common and consolidated embodiment of the EU worldwide, which goes beyond the image of different particular or aggregated EU Member States’ cultures;

Amendment 69 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 d (new)

2d. Emphasises the potential of EU International Cultural Relations to counter disinformation in third countries and foreign interferences towards the EU, and the hostile narratives against the EU in illiberal and authoritarian regimes;

Amendment 7 #

Draft opinion
Citation 5 a (new)

— having regard to the Council conclusions of 22January 2018 on the integrated approach to external conflicts and crises,

Amendment 70 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 e (new)

2e. Stresses the need for the EU to be fully present in cultural events worldwide, especially those that are global, such has the World Fair; calls for the possibility for the EU to host a World Fair, which could take place in different EU Member States;

Amendment 71 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 2 f (new)

2f. Underlines that is necessary to strengthen International Cultural Relations cooperation between the European Commission and EEAS with EUNIC, as well as with alike-minded partners and international organizations such as UNESCO; stresses the need to put a special focus, without disregarding other partners, on EU-Africa and EU- Latin America and the Caribbean international cultural relations;

Amendment 72 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls to strengthen the role of EU Delegations in EU International Cultural Relations and its focal points, including by the allocation of the necessary resources and by developing a tailor-made International Cultural Relations list of activities and programmes for EU Delegations to implement with the appropriate resources; calls for the development of strategies based on international cultural relations for EU delegations and other EU actors in their relations with third countries;

Amendment 73 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for the development of strategies based on international cultural relations for EU delegations and other EU actors in their relations with third countries; urges that joint actions be implemented by the EU delegations, the diplomatic missions of the Member States and national cultural institutes to promote European culture in third countries;

Amendment 74 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for the development of strategies based on international cultural relations for EU delegations and other EU actors in their relations with third countries; calls for better cooperation between the EU and third countries in protection of cultural heritage and fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods;

Amendment 75 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for the development of ~~strategies based on international cultural relation~~cost- saving strategies for EU delegations and other EU actors in their relations with third countries;

Amendment 76 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for the development of strategies based on international cultural relations for EU delegations and other EU actors in their relations with third countries such as UNESCO, Council of Europe, Interpol, the World Customs Organisation and International Council of Museums;

Amendment 77 #

Harald VILIMSKY, Jaak MADISON, Susanna CECCARDI

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3

3. Calls for the development of scalable and far-reaching strategies based on international cultural relations for EU delegations and other EU actors in their relations with third countries;

Amendment 78 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Condemns any destruction or theft of Christian cultural goods; calls for the European Commission to make efforts to return Christian cultural goods, such as those that were black-marketed after the Turkish occupation of the northern part of Cyprus, to their origins; condemns any conversion of Greek Orthodox or Christian monasteries and churches into mosques; calls on the Commission to take an appropriate stance by officially condemning especially the theft of Christian cultural goods and the conversion of Christian or Greek Orthodox churches and monasteries; calls for a reconsideration of cultural relations, in particular with those countries which continue to endanger the Christian cultural heritage worldwide through such practices;

Amendment 79 #

Georgios KYRTSOS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Urges the EEAS and Commission to step-up their efforts in the fight against illegal trafficking, looting and destruction in cultural property as well as to support Member States’ actions to conduct the repatriation of stolen cultural property to its rightful owners in a evidence-based and mutual understanding approach;

Amendment 8 #

Draft opinion
Citation 6 a (new)

— having regard to the Nicosia Convention1a on Criminal Offences against Cultural Property, _________________ 1a https://www.coe.int/en/web/conventions/fu ll-list?module=treaty- detail&treatynum=221

Amendment 80 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls for greater focus in protecting and preserving cultural heritage after conflicts and crises as it can help to protect identity, develop mutual understanding and create the foundations for sustainable recovery, reconciliation and lasting peace in post-conflict environments;

Amendment 81 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls for European cultural diversity, including regional languages, to be emphasised in these strategies, to promote a message of respect for minorities and cultural diversity worldwide;

Amendment 82 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Encourages Member States to include an aspect of international cultural relations in their regular foreign policy reporting, including in the context of the global strategy;

Amendment 83 #

Emmanuel MAUREL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 a (new)

3a. Calls for a strengthening of EU exchange programmes and the development of EU artists’ residencies globally;

Amendment 84 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 3 b (new)

3b. Calls on the EU to invest through its instruments in educational programs in partner countries and to cooperate with youth organisations and educational institutions on raising awareness and the development of necessary skills and knowledge to preserve cultural heritage;

Amendment 85 #

3b. Calls for the diffusion of world cultures to be further encouraged in EU countries in order to foster cultural exchanges that lead to mutual understanding;

Amendment 86 #

Harald VILIMSKY, Jaak MADISON

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

Amendment 87 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

Amendment 88 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for ~~the allocation of the necessary~~ budgetary and personnel resources tofor the EU’s international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy ~~in order to facilitate cultural cooperation with local actors and academia in third count~~ambitions to be reduced substantially as citizens, businesses and Member States are hard pressed by multiple crises;

Amendment 89 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for the allocation of the necessary budgetary and personnel resources to the EU’s international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy in order to facilitate cultural cooperation with local actors and academia in third countries; calls for consideration to be given to the possible creation of a special fund for the recovery, protection, restoration and promotion of European cultural heritage, which could also contribute to the recovery of global cultural heritage;

Amendment 9 #

Georgios KYRTSOS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU

Draft opinion
Citation 8 a (new)

— having regard to its resolution of 9 March 2022 on foreign interference in all democratic processes in the European Union, including disinformation,

Amendment 90 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for the allocation of the necessary budgetary and personnel resources to the EU’s international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy in order to facilitate cultural cooperation with local actors and academia in third countries; calls on the EEAS and Commission to consider the feasibility of introducing a dedicated chapter for international cultural relations in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe;

Amendment 91 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for the allocation of the necessary budgetary and personnel resources to the EU’s international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy in order to strengthen EU's action in this regard and facilitate cultural cooperation with local actors and academia in third countries; considers that the EEAS and the European Commission should be able to pull resources when needed from geographical envelopes in the Global Europe instrument;

Amendment 92 #

Emmanuel MAUREL

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for the allocation of the necessary budgetary and personnel resources to the Member States’ and the EU’s international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy in order to facilitate cultural cooperation with local actors and academia in third countries and to enhance and protect the work of authors and artists while ensuring that copyright and related rights are respected;

Amendment 93 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4

4. Calls for the allocation of the necessary budgetary and personnel resources to the EU’s international cultural relations and cultural diplomacy in order to facilitate cultural cooperation with local actors, including public institutions, civil society, as well Churches, religious associations or communities and academia in third countries;

Amendment 94 #

Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU, Ramona STRUGARIU, Urmas PAET, Dragoş TUDORACHE, Georgios KYRTSOS

Amendment 95 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Condemns the deliberate destruction of cultural sites in Ukraine as a result of unprovoked and illegal Russian war of aggression; commends the efforts of volunteers, museum curators and cultural workers in Ukraine, as well as in the EU Member States, to rescue and protect artworks and artefacts belonging to Ukraine; calls on the EU and its Member States to support these efforts in maintaining and reconstruction of destroyed and damaged cultural sights, and to work in cooperation with international institutions to pressure Russia to return stolen artefacts from Ukraine;

Amendment 96 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Deplores the fact that ongoing conflicts continue to lead to the destruction, pillaging, looting of cultural heritage and trafficking of illicit cultural goods; urges the Council, Commission and EEAS to step up their action in protecting cultural heritage in conflict and crises zones, including by providing emergency support for its preservation and by considering targeted sanctions against actors identified as responsible for destruction, illegal trafficking, falsifying or damaging cultural heritage;

Amendment 97 #

Georgios KYRTSOS, Petras AUŠTREVIČIUS, Nathalie LOISEAU

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Calls to strengthen the cultural heritage component within the EU's instruments and work of its delegations; calls to implement the aforementioned component into current and future Common Security and Defence missions and operations in order to provide assistance and education to local partners in addressing security challenges related to the preservation and protection of cultural heritage and fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods;

Amendment 98 #

Draft opinion
Paragraph 4 a (new)

4a. Urges the Council, Commission and EEAS to step up their action in protecting cultural heritage in conflict and crises zones, including by providing emergency support for its preservation and by considering targeted sanctions against actors identified as responsible for destruction, illegal trafficking, falsifying or damaging cultural heritage;

Amendment 99 #