Culture in External Relations: The EU and its International Economic Agreements

Trade and investment are part of cultural exchanges. They are shaped by, but also have tremendous impact on cultural activities. At the same time, cultural activities and diplomacy actively pursue long-term and sustainable objectives in the field of trade and foreign investment. This contribution explores the understanding of culture and the role assigned to it in the context of international economic relations, and the ways in which economic agreements address cultural matters. It also reflects on the ways in which culture is conceptualised and instrumentalised in international agreements for its economic and extra-economic values, and on the complexities involved in separating the two perspectives.