The General Assembly of EUNIC, the network of EU Member State institutions set up to engage in cultural relations, was held recently in Paris. Envoy Roberto Vellano, director general for the promotion of Italian culture and language, was elected as Vice President. According to the EUNIC statute, the Vice President holds office for 12 months and then becomes President for the following 12 months.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and the Dante Alighieri Society are members of EUNIC, which works through local clusters comprising cultural institutions in EU countries. With bases in over 100 cities around the world, EUNIC aims to promote joint events to boost the role of culture as an instrument for dialogue and cooperation in EU external actions.
The election of the Italian representative as head of EUNIC is an important recognition of Italian cultural diplomacy and the support we give to the cultural dimension of the European Union.
