The European Union (EU) is an international organization of European countries, committed to work together in a wide range of issues concerning our everyday life. As one of the institutions of the European Union, the European Commission represents and upholds the interests of Europe as a whole. It drafts proposals for new European laws and manages the day-to-day business of implementing EU policies and programmes.
The symbol of the European Union represents Europe's unity and identity in a wider sense. The circle of the twelve gold stars goes for solidarity and harmony between the peoples of Europe. United in diversity is the motto of the European Union. The motto means that, via the EU, Europeans are united in working together for peace and prosperity, respecting the many different cultures, traditions and languages in the continent.

Special sector on education and cultural policies has been established within the European Commission (Directorate General for Education and Culture). Under Article 151 of the EC Treaty, “the Community 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”.

Conservation and safeguarding of cultural heritage of European significance are among the objectives of the European Union in the field of culture; in order to achieve these objectives in the field of culture the European Commission undertakes the following activities.
- The European Commission manages the Culture programme, which is dedicated to support the implementation of specific and innovative projects and of multiannual cooperation agreements and the organisation of special cultural events with a European and/or international dimension.
- Through the Culture programme, the European Commission also cooperates with the Council of Europe as for example, the joint Action for cultural heritage, in the context of the Council of Europe’s Regional Programme for Cultural and Natural Heritage in South East Europe (RPSEE), the European Heritage Days Programme (EHD), and European Heritage Network (HEREIN).
- Some specific programmes of the European Commission are also focusing the cultural heritage and the practices of its sustainable development: for instance Phare Programme for Cultural Tourism.
- Another very popular activity is the European Capital of Culture action, designed to contribute to bringing the peoples of Europe together (based on the initiative of Mrs. Melina Mercouri, Greece). It has become ever more popular with the citizens of Europe and has seen its cultural and socio-economic influence grow through the many visitors it has attracted.

Information sources: information based on European Union Official website, European Commission website