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New EU Council Conclusions support cultural heritage protection in crises as an integral part of the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy

On Monday 21 June, the European Council adopted conclusions on the EU approach to cultural heritage in conflicts and crises. The conclusions represent a further important step towards the full integration of international cultural relations in the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy. Welcoming the new EU Concept on cultural heritage in conflicts and crises. A component for peace and security in European Union’s external action , the conclusions highlight the multiple roles cultural heritage can play in fostering tolerance, mutual understanding, and reconciliation, inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue, mitigating social tensions and renewed escalation into violent conflict.
New EU Council Conclusions support cultural heritage protection in crises as an integral part of the EU’s Foreign and Security Policy.
22 June 2021
Last update:20 April 2023

The Conclusions support the promotion and protection of both tangible and intangible cultural heritage throughout all phases of conflicts and crises to protect identities and build community resilience.  They stress the importance of placing local communities’ needs and participation at the centre of efforts, and of adopting the EU’s value-based approaches that are inclusive, equal and non-discriminatory.

Ensuring effective multilateralism for the protection of cultural heritage is at the heart of the Conclusions, which encourage strengthened partnerships with relevant international organizations, notably UNESCO. 

The safeguarding of cultural heritage at risk is a priority of the UNESCO-EU partnership, which has been translated into action in a number of countries.  and   are on-going flagships of this partnership.

 

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