The three-day 2024 G7 Culture
meeting concluded in Naples on Saturday with ministers
committing to protect freedom of expression and to help Ukraine
repair the damage to its cultural heritage caused by the Russian
invasion.
"We will promote and protect freedom of expression, including
the freedom of artists and journalists to create and express
their opinions without interference, as well as the plurality,
independence and sustainability of the media," the G7 ministers
said in the meeting's final declaration.
"To enable culture to thrive in our societies, we will promote
respect for dissenting opinions in democratic debate, countering
any attempts to censor, marginalize or erase cultural opinions
and expressions".
The ministers said they "strongly condemn Russia's large-scale
aggression against Ukraine and the widespread destruction of
historical sites and cultural institutions, such as museums,
theatres, libraries, archives, churches and places of worship,
which threaten Ukrainian cultural identity.
"We are united in defending and promoting the resilience and
regeneration of Ukrainian culture and cultural heritage, both
material and immaterial," they continued.
Italian Culture Minister Alessandro Giuli said this commitment
to aid Kyiv was particularly significant.
"Full agreement on supporting Ukrainian culture is important,"
Giuli told a news conference.
"There was unanimous agreement on this initiative.
"There is international support for reconstruction and we will
work together with (Foreign) Minister (Antonio) Tajani for the
2025 International Conference on Ukraine's Reconstruction".
Giuli also thanked his predecessor Gennaro Sangiuliano, who
resigned earlier this month after being embroiled in a scandal
over a would-be 'advisor' he admitted to having an affair with,
for his work on organizing the Culture G7.
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