Abstract: The paper argues that intercultural dialogue is shaped by an instrumental approach in the political context of United Europe. It traces the steps in the emergence and crystallisation of the term in political documents and institutional contexts. The current situation is also in the focus with the new European Commission starting its new five-year term. Based on the historical overview and the analysis of the institutional approach to intercultural dialogue three topics at European level are identified: the topic of New Europe, the topic of New Europeans and the topic of European cultural heritage.
Key words: intercultural dialogue, European integration, European Union, diversity of cultures, unity in diversity, topics of intercultural dialogue.
Rhetoric and Communications E-journal, Issue 16, January 2015, rhetoric.bg/, journal.rhetoric.bg, ISSN 1314-4464