In a joint statement, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President Josep Borrel and Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel of the European Commission wrote:
“On the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development, we celebrate cultural diversity in the European Union and underline its importance in fostering dialogue and respect between people all around the world. Europe is a mosaic of diversity shaped by centuries of exchanges between different nations, languages and cultures.”
They mentioned that cultural heritage is one of the richest expressions of cultural diversity.
“We should remember that it is a non-renewable, irreplaceable common good, frequently under threat due to environmental challenges, conflict, neglect and decay. As part of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions(link is external), the EU will continue to engage in the protection of cultural heritage sites and fight illicit trade in cultural goods.”
Read the joint statement on the European External Action Service’s website.