The European Coalitions for Cultural Diversity (ECCD) strongly welcome and applaud European Parliament’s adoption of an important motion for resolution defending Europe’s cultural diversity and the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) against growing pressure from the United States.
Adopted on the October 23 in plenary, the resolution, tabled by CULT Committee Chair Nela Riehl (Greens/EFA), sends a clear and necessary message to the European Commission: Europe must stand firm in protecting its cultural model and uphold the principles of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.
In the context of renewed U.S. pressure, including President Donald Trump’s memorandum challenging the AVMS Directive and other digital regulations, MEPs have made a strong statement: Europe’s cultural diversity must not be become a bargaining chip in trade talks.
The ECCD particularly support the resolution’s call to:
• Defend the principle of cultural diversity in all international trade negotiations.
• Preserve the AVMS Directive as a cornerstone of EU cultural sovereignty and soft power
• Maintain the exclusion of audiovisual services from trade agreements.
• Recognise that the Directive’s rules are non-discriminatory and apply equally to all operators.
By adopting this resolution, the European Parliament has reaffirmed the fundamental link between culture, sovereignty, and democracy. The European Coalitions applaud MEPs for their commitment and call on the European Commission to take full account of this position as it prepares the 2026 evaluation of the AVMS Directive.