At the conclusion of the Berlin Conference “A Soul for Europe”, the ministers of culture from Poland, France and Germany have signed a declaration in which they claim a European Charta for Culture. Declaration of the Ministers of Culture of the European Union: “To mark the Berlin Conference for European Cultural Policy “A soul for Europe” held on 26 and 27 November 2004, the Ministers of Culture of the Member States of the European Union wish to issue the following declaration: With the draft Treaty establishing a European Constitution, the European Union has reached a new dimension. The “cultural, religious and humanistic heritage of Europe”, mentioned in the preamble, creates the basis of our common identity. These values still characterize our European view of mankind, society and the world. They constitute our strength in the human, economic and social development of the European continent in the context of globalization and in respect of enhanced cooperation between Europe and other global regions. In 2004, we are celebrating the reunification of Europe after decades of division marked by the totalitarian regimes of the 20th century and the consequences of the Cold War. We consider the future shaping of our common cultural region to be our most important task. We want to assign a substantial role to culture in the European reunification process and develop initiatives so that the citizens of Europe and our partners in other regions of the world perceive the European Union as a common cultural area. We therefore aim, as foreseen by the Treaty establishing the European Constitution, with respect for the cultural diversity and in view of the protection and enhancement of Europe’s cultural heritage, to draw up a Cultural Charter for Europe, which solemnly underlines the essential importance of culture for the development of Europe and which has the objective of preserving and fostering cultural diversity. The Berlin Conference will be followed by regular events for reflection on cultural Europe; the next meeting will be held in Paris in the first six months of 2005. Our countries are willing to cooperate to achieve these goals on the basis of enhanced coordination. We are seeking to develop a new cultural awareness for Europe that is based on the realization that culture is not just our oldest common root, but is at the same time the most promising horizon for better future coexistence as Europeans and for discharging our responsibility towards other regions in the world.” Waldemar Dabrowski, Minister for Culture, Poland Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres, Minister for Culture and Communication, France Christina Weiss, Minister of State at the Federal Chancellery – Commissioner of the Federal Government for Cultural and Media Affairs, Federal Republic of Germany.