The European Union Strategy for International Cultural relations : Origins and response to the role of the EU in cultural diplomacy

Abstract: After years of fragmented and unsuccessful attempts to put culture at the top of the EU agenda for external relations, on the 8th of June 2016 something changed. That day the HR/VR Federica Mogherini addressed the European Parliament and the Council with the 2016 Joint Communication ‘Towards an EU strategy for international cultural relations’. With this document the European Union aimed at providing culture with a new and more important role as a soft power instrument in its external relations. However, its approval came in times of identity crisis and political insecurity for the Union. The Brexit vote and the rise of Euroscepticism highlighted the fragile foundations of the policy and the still divided European scenario. This thesis analyses the historical context that led to the approval of the 2016 strategy and provides the reader with a critical analysis of the structural and practical outcomes and challenges of its implementation. Through this research it was highlighted how the Union is still missing a unified and shared cultural identity due to the lack of agreement concerning the so-called ‘European values’. Moreover, due to its objective of promoting the European culture and identity abroad, the strategy risks being seen as an attempt to export and force ‘Europeanness’ on third and partner countries. In addition, this analysis highlighted that also European politicians and relevant personalities still manifest divided opinions concerning the purpose and objectives of the EU international cultural relations and are missing out on the potential of culture for the implementation of larger projects. Finally, the work underlines how current global priorities such as health, sustainability, digitalisation and migration should be considered and included in future attempts to foster international cultural cooperation. The theoretical focus of this analysis includes resources retrieved from EU documents including treaties, communications, agreements and conclusion and from the latest reports concerning data and results of the EU projects implemented under the 2016 Joint Communication.