Ukraine joined EU Creative Europe programme

Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Culture of Ukraine Viacheslav Kyrylenko and European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Tibor Navracsics signed an Agreement between the Government of Ukraine and the European Commission on Ukraine's participation in EU programme Creative Europe.

At the signing ceremony there were also present representatives of the Ukrainian Government, the European Commission, the diplomatic corps of Ukraine and members of the EU-Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity Programme.

Viacheslav Kyrylenko said that signing of the Agreement on joining Creative Europe programme opens for Ukraine great opportunities for cooperation between Ukrainian and European artists, for the development of the cultural domain.

"Today it is a landmark day for Ukraine. We have long been striving for this aim and with the support of our European partners have achieved the result. Now the entire Europe is facing difficult times. Europe suffers from terrorism, which Ukraine came across two years ago. But Ukrainians continue to create: for them culture, creativity, creative self-expression mean a lot. The programme Creative Europe will allow Ukrainians to express themselves in Europe, to receive our European colleagues here, and to launch joint creative projects that are important to all European countries. The Ukrainian creative sector has obtained new opportunities, including access to projects with a total value worth almost EUR1.5 billion. Therefore, on behalf of the Ukrainian Government I thank our friends - the European Commission and the European Commissioner for the assistance and support," said Vice Prime Minister – Minister of Culture.

The European Commissioner for Education, Culture, Youth and Sport Tibor Navracsics congratulated Ukraine on the fact of official accession to the European cultural family and noted that Ukraine had achieved this result due to the fact it shares common with Europe values.

"It’s my pleasure to welcome you in the Creative Europe family. Because Creative Europe programme is a family, multiculture and very diverse family of nations, of regions of local communities, of creators with linguistic diversity, with cultural diversity, with a lot of experiences to be shared. And just like in a family, this Creative Europe community should be strong and cohesive if we have shared feelings, shared values and shared understandings on the developments of the work. So, Ukraine’s accession to the European Union community means sharing values, sharing common feelings, sharing common understanding in Europe. But, it’s not only about feelings, it’s about money and financial support. A 1.46 billion Euros financial support for the Creative Europe programmes can help Ukrainian state holders and cultural life to cooperate with European counterparts, Ukrainian pieces of arts can be translated into European languages. It’s a good opportunity for the vibrant Ukrainian creative and cultural industry to show themselves and their achievements to the European public,” said Tibor Navracsics.