The European Community approves the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions17.05.2006

The European Ministers of Culture gathered today in Brussels have adopted a decision that approves on behalf of the European Community the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. After the opinion of the European Parliament on April 27, 2006, this decision allows the European Community to deposit its instrument of accession with UNESCO and to become a Party to the Convention alongside the European Union Member States. The European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity congratulate the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council for this fast decision and invite Member States to boost their own internal ratification procedure in order for the Community and the Member States to be part of the first thirty ratifications required for the Convention to enter into force. Adopted on October 20, 2005 thanks to the unanimity of the 25 Member States of the European Union, this international Convention actively promoted by the Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (34 to date ), will deliver its potential for the respect of all cultural creations only when entered into force. Furthermore, the Convention will gain a strong weight on the international scene only beyond a meaningful number of ratifications that will demonstrate the true commitment of the States that have adopted it. The European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity lead an active campaign for the ratification of the Convention in Europe and for its implementation in the European Union internal policies. Contact: Schweizer Koalition für kulturelle Vielfalt Beat Santschi (Präsident), 044 241 72 67, b.santschi@smv.ch www.coalitionsuisse.ch Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Benin, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Congo, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guinea, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, South Korea, Mali, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Uruguay and Venezuela