- UK Government announces £250,000 for the Ukrainian Cultural
Heritage Fund, match funded by the European Commission
- Funding will help to protect, preserve, and restore Ukrainian
cultural heritage
Culture Minister and Commissioner Micallef participated in the first
UK-European Commission high-level meeting on culture marking a
step forward since the UK-EU Summit in May last year.
This collaboration demonstrates a renewed dedication to
partnership and closer collaboration, based on shared interests
such as our joint commitment to supporting Ukrainian cultural
heritage.
The meeting in Brussels today brought together representatives
from both sides to discuss common priorities in the cultural and
creative sectors including working conditions for creative and
cultural professionals and efforts to champion cultural
relations.
As part of the visit, Culture Minister announced that the UK Government is making a further
contribution of £250,000 to the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Fund
to support efforts to protect and preserve Ukraine's cultural
heritage in the face of ongoing conflict. Minister Murray
previously announced £200,000 in
emergency funding whilst representing the UK at an informal
meeting of media and culture ministers in Copenhagen as part of
Denmark's Presidency of the Council of the EU.
The announcement comes alongside a European Commission commitment
to match this funding, demonstrating the close alignment between
UK and EU efforts to support Ukraine.
Ukraine's cultural landmarks and heritage embody its people and
national identity. This announcement demonstrates the UK's
long-standing support, and will help to protect the heritage that
defines Ukrainians against Russia's attempts to erase their
culture. The UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership signed last year has
also been fostering closer collaboration across 9 key pillars,
including culture, defence and security, science and technology,
and economy and trade.
Culture Minister, said:
It is essential we strengthen and deepen our partnership with the
EU in areas of mutual interest, such as culture. Today's meeting
is an important step in strengthening that enduring relationship
through focused co-operation on AI in the creative industries,
artists working conditions, and how we can work together to
support international cultural collaboration.
Our shared commitment to supporting Ukrainian cultural heritage
with a further £250,000 in match-funding is a powerful symbol of
how we can work together to mutually support international
cultural collaboration.
In total, the UK has committed £21.8 billion in total support for
Ukraine, including £13 billion in military support, up to £5.3
billion in non-military support and £3.5 billion cover limit in
export finance. Over £577 million in humanitarian assistance has
been provided to Ukraine and the region since the start of the
full-scale invasion.
Alongside our international allies, the UK will continue to give
Ukraine our unwavering support, driving forward momentum for
peace to ensure Russia is never able to invade again.
During the visit, Minister Murray welcomed the opportunity to
progress discussions on shared priorities and reaffirmed the UK
government's commitment to deepening cooperation with EU
counterparts, progressing our ambitions within the Common
Understanding.
