​During the Committee of the Regions debate on an 'integrated approach to cultural heritage for Europe', member of the Flemish Parliament Karim Van Overmeire said that it was imperative that the EU promotes and preserves Europe's Culture and Heritage.  He added that Cultural heritage is a very broad concept which does not only include tangible artefacts but also a wide range of shared values, lifestyles and practices which strongly influence our perceptions and our daily lives.  Mr Van Overmeire added: We believe that our cultural heritage is essential to contribute to social cohesion, and we see our common European cultural heritage as a strong binding factor of European integration. It has a key role in forging a vital sense of identity and a European sense of belonging.
 
Mr Van Overmeire also highlighted that cultural heritage can bring huge economic benefits by attracting visitors, employment and economic investments, and encouraged Members of the CoR to visit some of the beautiful Flemish cities around Brussels.