Culture and International law

The Treaty on European Union provides that the Community 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 (Article 151).

At international level, EU involvement is mainly concerned with trade in cultural goods and services, and the preservation of world heritage.

International trade
International rules governing trade in goods and services and intellectual property have major implications for the European cultural sector, for example in the audiovisual field.
In this connection, a mandate given to the Commission by the Council for the next round of negotiations under the aegis of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) specifies that "during the forthcoming WTO negotiations, the Union will ensure, as in the Uruguay Round, that the Community and its Member States maintain the possibility to preserve and develop their capacity to define and implement their cultural and audiovisual policies for the purpose of preserving their cultural diversity."

Within the WTO framework, the European Union participates in negotiations on intellectual property: it has accordingly concluded an agreement on intellectual property rights under the Uruguay Round ("TRIPS/ADPIC" agreement).
The European Union also takes part in negotiations conducted within the framework of specialist organisations such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO).

In March 2000, the EU Council approved two WIPO Treaties: one on copyright and the other on performances and phonograms, aimed at guaranteeing a balanced level of protection of works and other items, and facilitating public access to network content. Still within the framework of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation), the European Union is continuing the negotiations on subjects such as broadcasters' protection, database protection, folklore and respecting intellectual property rights.

International law and heritage protection
The European Community and its Member States are actively involved in the work of the Council of Europe and UNESCO. As far as possible, the Community favours the adoption of a common approach for its Member States within these institutions.

The principles of national cultural heritage preservation and of entitlement to restitution have been recognised by two international agreements, one concluded under the aegis of UNESCO in 1972 and the other in conjunction with the Council of Europe (Granada Convention, 1985).

Activities Architecture Visual arts Cinema and audiovisual media Dance Education and training in the arts Books Music Cultural heritage Theatre Events Events National Cultural sites	Europe in action National Cultural sites Financing Activities Culture and International law The Treaty on European Union provides that the Community 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 (Article 151). At international level, EU involvement is mainly concerned with trade in cultural goods and services, and the preservation of world heritage. International trade International rules governing trade in goods and services and intellectual property have major implications for the European cultural sector, for example in the audiovisual field. In this connection, a mandate given to the Commission by the Council for the next round of negotiations under the aegis of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) specifies that "during the forthcoming WTO negotiations, the Union will ensure, as in the Uruguay Round, that the Community and its Member States maintain the possibility to preserve and develop their capacity to define and implement their cultural and audiovisual policies for the purpose of preserving their cultural diversity." Within the WTO framework, the European Union participates in negotiations on intellectual property: it has accordingly concluded an agreement on intellectual property rights under the Uruguay Round ("TRIPS/ADPIC" agreement). The European Union also takes part in negotiations conducted within the framework of specialist organisations such as the World Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO). In March 2000, the EU Council approved two WIPO Treaties: one on copyright and the other on performances and phonograms, aimed at guaranteeing a balanced level of protection of works and other items, and facilitating public access to network content. Still within the framework of the WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organisation), the European Union is continuing the negotiations on subjects such as broadcasters' protection, database protection, folklore and respecting intellectual property rights. International law and heritage protection The European Community and its Member States are actively involved in the work of the Council of Europe and UNESCO. As far as possible, the Community favours the adoption of a common approach for its Member States within these institutions. The principles of national cultural heritage preservation and of entitlement to restitution have been recognised by two international agreements, one concluded under the aegis of UNESCO in 1972 and the other in conjunction with the Council of Europe (Granada Convention, 1985).	Europe in action Cultural cooperation Cultural industries Access to culture The culture professionals Cultural facilities Linguistic diversity Regulatory aspects Culture and internal markets Culture and competition law Culture and International law International relations Intercultural Dialogue Cultural Diversity Financing European Commission: Information Society and Media Education and Culture Agriculture Enlargement Employment and Social Affairs Environment Fisheries Regional Policy Research European Development Fund European Investment Bank
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Last update: 03-05-2006