European Union takes into consideration a lot of aspects of human activity such as international trade, economics, health, education and culture. Most of these fields are clearly regulated by European law, but the situation seemed to be different in case of culture. In spite of the fact that cultural identity was taken into consideration in some EU activities, there wasn't any introduced cultural policy. The most important change was introduced after the Maastricht Treaty from 1 November 1993. It hands over the right to the European Union to set up some cultural activities. The main goal of these actions is to take part in "the flowering of the cultures of the Member States". Some articles of the Treaty are directed to the culture. First of them presents the legal basis which allows the Member Sates to set up some cultural actions, whereas the other one takes into consideration some cultural characteristics connecting with the European trade.

The Maastricht Treaty allows the European Union to take advantage of some tools, which support the cultural initiatives such as the "Culture 2000" programme, the European City of Culture and European Cultural Month activities. Their objectives are: to take part in the flowering of the culture identity of the Member States with the respect of their national and regional variety and in the same way presenting their cultural heritages. The European Union supports the cultural activists from every Member State and encourages them to take initiatives. The European Union doesn't require the member countries to introduce the cultural policies. It supports only the cooperation between some international organisations and the Council of Europe.

"Culture 2000" programme

"Culture 2000" programme is an example of the programming and financing instrument of the European Union directed to the field of culture in the period of time from 1 January 2000 to 31 December 2006.

The goal of this programme, which is also consisted of the old "Raphael", "Kaleidoscope" and "Ariane" programmes, is to improve a common cultural activity through the cultural dialogue, spreading the knowledge of the history, establishing and popularisation of the culture, the presenting not only the artists and their works, but also the European heritage in filed of culture, some new ways of cultural expression and its role in the society. "Culture 2000" encourages international the cooperation projects, which create the cooperation between most creative artists, cultural activities and the cultural institutions located in the member countries.

The programme's goals are taken by these following actions:

* some specific innovative and/or experimental activities involving activists from some participating countries.

These kinds of actions are directed mainly to support and to spread the new forms of artistic expression. They also improve the access to the culture, especially for young people and the poorest. Moreover, they try to broadcast the cultural events by means of new technologies of spreading the information;

* some integrated activities created by structured international agreements concerning the cultural cooperation.

These kinds of agreements are usually signed by cultural activists from at least five member countries. Their goal is to set up, within a given period of time, some structured cultural activities. They should help to arrange the objectives of cultural interests, which are projected in advance. This kind of cooperation is connected with the improving some cultural fields or the integrating of some cultural sectors;

* some cultural events with the bigger dimension

These kinds of events are substantial in the scale and the range. They should help to increase the community spirit (the example of such an activity is the "European Capital of Culture").

Activists from most European states are now participating in the "Culture 2000" Programme. They are 25 Member Countries of the European Union (Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom), the countries belong to the European Economic Area (EEA): Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and some candidate countries: Bulgaria and Romania.

By the end of December 2005 the Commission should present to the European Parliament and the Council a report containing the results of "Culture 2000" Programme. This will probably invite Parliament and the Council to set up some other frameworks of programmes, which should support the culture.

European City of Culture programme

The main goal of European City of Culture programme was the highlight how rich and divers are the European cultures. To get the nomination the cultural project should include the European dimension. Every year since 2005 one city will be tilted "European Capital of Culture". It will require the special procedure. That city will be expected to set up some cultural events, which will show the city's own culture and heritage. It will be also connected with some cultural activities linking all European countries. It will probably establish the long-lasting cultural cooperation.

The goals of such activity are as follows:

* to show some artistic achievements and movements created by Europeans which are considered to be inspiring or just have a significant contribution

* to encourage people to take part in this kind of events and encourage people from different Member States and set up the cultural cooperation among European nations

* to encourage a lot of participants;

* to take advantages of different kind of mass media to gather the great number of people

* to establish the cooperation between European countries and the other countries from the whole world in filed of culture;

* to present the heritage, urban architecture aspects and living conditions in a chosen city.

As the first European Capital of Culture was set up Cork in 2005.

The European Capital of Culture of 2006 one of the Greek towns - Patras has been chosen.

Other programmes

Many aspects concerning culture are considered during the development of the European Union. They are activities concerning the audiovisual policy, development of the regions, employment, agriculture, human resources and environment.

Culture with audiovisual media

The European Commission provides the Media Plus programme (2001 - 2005). Its main goal was to make the European audiovisual branch more competitive and to improve the development and the distribution of European audiovisual works.

Culture and development of the regions

To reach the great economic and social integrity, the European Union takes advantages of the Structural Funds. These funds are available not only for development of the regions, but also for the culture. The European Commission and every Member State try to improve the cultural development. Also the job potential is considered, as the culture doesn't only allow to the region, but also to development of the tourism potential. What is more, job creation in the cultural field is very significant. It also helps in the development of some services such as online services or some other media.

Culture and human resources

A lot of social programmes and activities are useful to promote the education. They are available in many areas:

- the European Social Fund provides employee' training

- the programme supporting the equal opportunities at work

- some education and training programmes are directed to teachers, students and other professionals particularly interested in culture

Culture with the agriculture

In spite of the fact that the Treaty insists on introducing the one common agricultural policy (CAP) and it doesn't relate to the cultural activities, we should be aware that the agriculture is the integral part of heritage and culture. What is more, the European Union tries to promote only the traditional methods of production and to preserve the cultural heritage. Some regulations promote the regional protection of traditional methods of production, which are consisted of the older methods of production and the policy, which supports the agricultural markets, especially the wine and olive oil branches. All these activities are directed to the increasing the traditional methods of production.

Culture with the environment

The protection of natural environment is as important as the protection of cultural heritage. The European Union provides the environmental financial instrument called LIFE III, which helps to protect the natural environment and introduce some environmental regulations.

What is more, each year since 1989, there is the initiative from the European Parliament and the European Commission to support the town twinning, to cerate and provide the further development of cultural exchanges between their citizens. Also the seminars and conferences are set up.