TITLE III - INTERNAL POLICIES AND ACTION
CHAPTER V - AREAS WHERE THE UNION MAY TAKE COORDINATING, COMPLEMENTARY OR SUPPORTING
ACTION
SECTION 3 - CULTURE
ARTICLE III-280
1. The Union shall contribute to the flowering of the cultures of the Member
States, while respecting their national and regional diversity and at the same
time bringing the common cultural heritage to the fore.
2. Action by the Union shall be aimed at encouraging cooperation between Member States and, if necessary, supporting and complementing their action in the following areas:
(a) improvement of the knowledge and dissemination of the culture and history
of the European peoples;
(b) conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage of European significance;
(c) non-commercial cultural exchanges;
(d) artistic and literary creation, including in the audiovisual sector.
3. The Union and the Member States shall foster cooperation with third countries
and the competent international organisations in the sphere of culture, in particular
the Council of Europe.
4. The Union shall take cultural aspects into account in its action under other
provisions of the Constitution, in particular in order to respect and to promote
the diversity of its cultures.
5. In order to contribute to the achievement of the objectives referred to in this Article:
(a) European laws or framework laws shall establish incentive measures, excluding any harmonisation of the laws and regulations of the Member States. They shall be adopted after consultation of the Committee of the Regions;
(b) the Council, on a proposal from the Commission, shall adopt recommendations.