Introduction

The various books on the competition and trade laws in the European Community rarely start out by introducing the need to study the law and culture of the European Union. Since November 1993, Title XII of the European Community Treaty has started looking into matters of culture. Because culture is recognized as a subject of trade, possesses a commercial value, and enables the sales of various services and goods, the rules set by the European Economic Community (EEC Treaty) — particularly those on competition, custom duties, and movement — have proven to have some effect on the cultural sphere. Through exploring the interaction between the culture and law of the European Union, this book aims to examine how and why culture is integrated within European Union law. Also, we identify the economic, social, and political aspects of the development of EU cultural policy.