Culture G7 concludes with freedom-of-expression pledge

(ANSA) - NAPLES, SEP 21 - 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. (ANSA).