1. Bulgarian Presidency of the Council of the European Union (1 January - 30 June 2018)
Programme of the Government of the Republic of Bulgaria (draft)
Priorities in the field of culture (draft)

2. MOTTO
„Съединението прави силата” „United We Stand Strong” „L’Union fait la force”

3. Consensus Competitiveness Cohesion
During the Presidency of the Council of the EU, the Republic of Bulgaria will send THREE MAIN MESSAGES FOR:
Consensus
Competitiveness
Cohesion

4. POLITICAL PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT (DRAFT FOR PUBLIC DISCUSSION)
Culture as a strategic resource for the better future of the EU
Culture is one of the main drivers of the future development of the European Union, based on a new look at its past. Against the background of the current political, social and cultural processes in the Union, we will focus our efforts on the common values and unifying ties between the European citizens.
During the Bulgarian Presidency we will strive to build on what has been achieved so far and to promote the better inclusion of culture in the Multiannual Financial Framework for the post-2020 period and in the new Work Plan for Culture , as well as to enhance the cultural diplomacy of the European Union around the world as an instrument for the Union’s foreign policy.

5. DRAFT PRIORITIES IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT - PART “CULTURE”
Priority 1: Cultural and creative content in the digital single market (including Audiovisual and Copyright priority subjects)
Subject: Digital progress and innovative technologies in the context of the Digital Single Market Strategy
Objective: Making maximum progress on the work related to the legislative proposals at the meetings of the EU Council preparatory bodies and focusing on the overall link between culture, audiovisual policy, cultural and creative industries and copyright and the development of these policies at national level .

6. DRAFT PRIORITIES IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT - PART “CULTURE”
Priority 1: Cultural and creative content in the digital single market (including Audiovisual and Copyright priority subjects)
Main files and activities:
Audiovisual Media Services Directive;
Directive on Copyright in the Digital Single Market;
Regulation laying down rules on the exercise of copyright and related rights applicable to certain online transmissions of broadcasting organisations and retransmissions of television and radio programmes;
Conference on Copyright with a focus on Audiovisual and Cultural and creative industries.

7. DRAFT PRIORITIES IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT - PART “CULTURE”
Priority 2: Cultural heritage as a strategic resource for the better future of the EU
Subject: Strengthening cultural heritage as a factor for expanding intercultural dialogue, community building, its use as a resource for sustainable development and as a factor in the Union’s international relations.
Objective: Building on what has been achieved so far by previous presidencies in the field of cultural heritage and contributing to its better inclusion in the Multiannual Financial Framework for the post-2020 period and in the new Work Plan for Culture Objective of the European Year of Cultural Heritage: Encouraging the sharing and upholding of the value of Europe’s cultural heritage as a common resource; raising awareness of the common history and values, as well as strengthening the sense of belonging to a common European area.

8. DRAFT PRIORITIES IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT - PART “CULTURE”
Priority 2: Cultural heritage as a strategic resource for the better future of the EU
Main files and activities:
Council conclusions on cultural heritage – subject to be specified;
Debate on the use of structural funds with a focus on culture – perspectives for the next Multiannual Financial Framework;
Mid-term evaluation of the European Heritage Label Initiative;
Informal Meeting of EU Ministers of Culture;
Conference on “Cultural Heritage: for a More Reliable Europe”;
Expert seminar on the illegal import of cultural property into the EU from third countries.

9. DRAFT PRIORITIES IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT - PART “CULTURE”
Priority 3: Creating a high-quality contemporary European cultural and creative content
Subject: Approving a strategic approach to the development of cultural and creative sectors, with a focus on key factors for the creation and dissemination of cultural products – innovative spaces for creation in both real and digital environments; opportunities to expand exchanges within the Digital Single Market; copyright protection, entrepreneurship and alternative ways of funding in the field of culture and the arts.
Objective: The Bulgarian Presidency will expand the debate on a new long-term view on the European cultural content, the future of the EU and the relation between them. This will help to clarify the priorities and activities to be included in the new Work Plan for Culture and in the future European Agenda for Culture.

10. DRAFT PRIORITIES IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT - PART “CULTURE”
Priority 3: Creating a high-quality contemporary European cultural and creative content
Main files and activities:
Policy recommendations on Cultural and creative industries and Innovation (based on the Working Group’s report as per the open method of coordination);
Mid-term evaluation of the programmes “Creative Europe” and “Europe for Citizens”;
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council configuration – Orientation debate on the new Work Plan for Culture / Initial comments on the new European Agenda for Culture;

11. DRAFT PRIORITIES IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT - PART “CULTURE”
Priority 4: EU strategic approach to culture as an important instrument in international relations
Subject: Developing an integrated, comprehensive and step-by-step strategic approach to promoting culture as an important element of international relations that will underpin the “roadmap” that reflects the relevant joint EU activities.
Objective: Conducting discussions useful for the member states within the Working Group “Friends of the Presidency” and summarizing the results by taking into account the geographical position of Bulgaria as an external EU border and, if possible, contributing to the implementation of priorities related to the Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership, migration, as well as the EU’s Global Strategy on Security and Defence.

12. DRAFT PRIORITIES IN THE PROGRAMME OF THE GOVERNMENT - PART “CULTURE”
Priority 4: EU strategic approach to culture as an important instrument in international relations
Main files and activities:
Council conclusions on the subject (if any, depending on the positions in the Working Group);
Roadmap with joint EU-level activities;
Meeting of ASEM Ministers of Culture – International dimension of the subject of cultural heritage and cultural content;

13. CALENDAR OF EVENTS IN THE FIELD OF CULTURE
Informal meeting of EU Ministers of Culture Date: 28 February 2018 Subject: Culture as an inclusive value of Europe Place: Sofia, National Palace of Culture
Eighth Meeting of ASEM Ministers of Culture
Date: 1 – 2 March 2018
Subject: Cultural heritage and contemporary cultural content in international relations
Place: Sofia, National Palace of Culture
Education, Youth, Culture and Sport Council
Date: May2018
Place: Brussels, Belgium, the Council building

14. CONFERENCES ORGANIZED BY THE BULGARIAN PRESIDENCY
International conference Date: March 2018 Subject: “Copyright in the Digital Single Market” Place: Sofia
International conference
Date: March 2018
Subject: “Cultural heritage – for a more reliable Europe”
Place: Sofia
Expert seminar on issues related to the illegal import of cultural property from third countries
Date: 9-10 May 2018
Subject: “International and interinstitutional cooperation in the prevention of crimes involving cultural property” Place: Sofia

15. POSSIBLE POLICY DOCUMENTS INITIATED BY THE BULGARIAN PRESIDENCY (Draft)
Draft Council conclusions on the need to prioritize cultural heritage in the public policies of the European Union