This Week in Arts & Culture — Brussels (#23, 2026)
EU joint declaration on culture integration; Commission to engage video game industry after ECI; Committee reports on Erasmus+ and geographical indications.
June 14, 2026 to June 20, 2026
EU joint declaration on culture integration; Commission to engage video game industry after ECI; Committee reports on Erasmus+ and geographical indications.
📋 In This Week's Newsletter
• 🇪🇺 European Commission
• ✒️ EP Committee Work
European Commission
European institutions sign joint declaration ‘Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe’
On 17 June 2026, the European Commission, represented by President Ursula von der Leyen, together with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola and Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides for the Council Presidency, signed a joint declaration entitled ‘Europe for Culture, Culture for Europe’ in Brussels. The declaration sets out a shared commitment to protecting and promoting culture as a core EU value, referencing artistic freedom, diversity, and inclusion. The twelve principles in the document span support for artists, promotion of arts education, and the integration of culture into responses to climate change and the digital transition. The text affirms the EU’s role in supporting fair pay for cultural professionals and ethical, human-centric use of artificial intelligence in the sector. Protecting Europe’s cultural and linguistic heritage is outlined as a key priority, including leveraging digital technologies. The declaration highlights the impact of the culture sector on economic growth, social cohesion, and Europe’s global standing.
Commission initiates engagement with video game industry following European Citizens' Initiative
On 15 June 2026, the European Commission announced it will engage with the video game industry and consumer groups in response to the European Citizens' Initiative ‘Stop Destroying Videogames’. The initiative addresses the industry practice of disabling games when publishers end server support, affecting playability. The Commission clarified it cannot currently propose a legal obligation to keep games operable post-commercial support, referencing EU copyright law and the Directive on digital content and digital services (Directive (EU) 2019/770). Existing consumer rights regarding contractual terms and remedies are in force. The Commission will facilitate an industry code of conduct and raise consumer awareness through dialogue and enforcement activities.
EP Committee Work
JURI draft report on amending Regulation (EU) 2019/1753 concerning Lisbon Agreement changes
On 18 June 2026, the Committee on Legal Affairs (JURI) published its draft report, prepared by rapporteur Dainius Žalimas, on the European Commission’s proposal to amend Regulation (EU) 2019/1753. The proposed amendment concerns the integration of changes adopted by the Assembly of the Lisbon Union on 14 July 2025 to the Common Regulations under the Lisbon Agreement on Appellations of Origin and Geographical Indications. The report outlines technical and procedural adjustments for EU implementation of the revised Lisbon System.
CONT opinion on Erasmus+ programme regulation for 2028-2034
On 15 June 2026, the Committee on Budgetary Control (CONT) delivered its opinion on the Commission's proposal for a regulation establishing the Erasmus+ programme for 2028-2034, repealing Regulations (EU) 2021/817 and (EU) 2021/888. Rapporteur Daniel Freund (Greens/EFA) assessed budgetary implications and oversight for the future Erasmus+ programme. The opinion addresses efficiency in budget execution and mechanisms for improved spending control.
