A single financing and programming instrument for cultural cooperation, hereinafter referred to as the ‘Culture 2000 programme’, is hereby established for the period from 1 January 2000 to F131 December 2006.

The Culture 2000 programme shall contribute to the promotion of a cultural area common to the European peoples. In this context, it shall support cooperation between creative artists, cultural operators, private and public promoters, the activities of the cultural networks, and other partners as well as the cultural institutions of the Member States and of the other participant States in order to attain the following objectives:

1. (a)

   promotion of cultural dialogue and of mutual knowledge of the culture and history of the European peoples;

2. (b)

   promotion of creativity and the transnational dissemination of culture and the movement of artists, creators and other cultural operators and professionals and their works, with a strong emphasis on young and socially disadvantaged people and on cultural diversity;

3. (c)

   the highlighting of cultural diversity and the development of new forms of cultural expression;

4. (d)

   sharing and highlighting, at the European level, the common cultural heritage of European significance; disseminating know-how and promoting good practices concerning its conservation and safeguarding;

5. (e)

   taking into account the role of culture in socioeconomic development;

6. (f)

   the fostering of intercultural dialogue and mutual exchange between European and non-European cultures;

7. (g)

   explicit recognition of culture as an economic factor and as a factore in social integration and citizenship;

8. (h)

   improved access to and participation in culture in the European Union for as many citizens as possible.

The Culture 2000 programme shall further an effective linkage with measures implemented under other Community policies which have cultural implications.