The strategic role of culture in defending European values and democratic resilience, the recent announcement of the “Cultural Compass for Europe,” and the AgoraEU program within the framework of the next Multiannual Financial Framework 2028-2034, were the main discussion points at the Culture Council meeting held on November 28 in Brussels, with the participation of the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou.
This was the last Council meeting before Cyprus takes over the Presidency of the Council of the EU.
According to a Deputy Ministry statement, the Council approved on Friday conclusions on the strategic role of culture, cultural heritage, and audiovisual works in defending European values and democratic resilience.
As stated, on behalf of Cyprus, the Deputy Minister welcomed the text of the conclusions, noting that it demonstrates the strategic role of culture, cultural heritage, and audiovisual works in defending European values and strengthening democratic resilience, especially amid growing social and geopolitical challenges, adding that the Conclusions represent a coherent and ambitious commitment to the way in which culture actively contributes to the democratic life of the Union.
The European Commission then presented the “Cultural Compass for Europe.” In her speech, Kassianidou thanked the Commission for this proposal, which sets out the European Union’s strategic framework for culture, while emphasising that the Compass is an important step towards strengthening the democratic resilience, social cohesion, and international presence of the European Union, with culture at its heart. Furthermore, she stressed that the upcoming Cyprus Presidency will work constructively to promote the process relating to the Joint Declaration on the Compass for Culture.
It is also noted that in the context of the discussion on the establishment of AgoraEU, the proposed EU programme for the period 2028-2034 to support culture, media, democracy, rights, and European values, the Deputy Minister noted that in a time of geopolitical change and technological acceleration, the cultural and creative sectors are fundamental pillars of democratic resilience, citizen trust, and quality information.
In her concluding remarks, she pointed out that the upcoming Cyprus Presidency aims to make substantial progress on the text for the AgoraEU programme and, if possible, to achieve a general partial approach.
The Council adopted Presidency Conclusions on access to reliable news in the context of the European Democracy Shield, with the support of 26 Member States, with Cyprus adopting the conclusions.
Finally, it is stated that at the last Council meeting under the Danish Presidency on Culture and Sport, Kassianidou presented to her counterparts the programme of the upcoming Cyprus Presidency in the field of culture, while inviting her counterparts to participate in the Informal Council on Culture to be held in Nicosia on March 6, 2026.