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EU reaffirms commitment to strong engagement in cultural diplomacy

BRUSSELS, May 20 (KUNA) -- The European Union (EU) Monday underlined its commitment to support protection and promotion of cultural spaces and cultural exchanges as a powerful tool for dialogue and positive change in Europe and worldwide.
"We pay tribute to the essential role of cultural diversity in Europe and around the world for fostering dialogue, respect, and contributing to sustainable development and growth. Europe is a continent of cultural diversity," said EU High Representative Federica Mogherini and EU Commissioner for Education and Culture Tibor Navracsics, in a joint statement to mark the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development which falls on 21 May.
"That is why, as part of the UNESCO 2005 Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, we work to protect cultural heritage sites and fight illicit trade in cultural goods in Syria, Libya and Yemen," it noted.
In Central Asia, Afghanistan and Iran, the Silk Road heritage corridors programme contributes to prosperity, peace and social cohesion, said the EU.
The EU is furthermore strongly engaged in cultural diplomacy on the global scene as an investment in peace, conflict prevention, stability, development and reconciliation, it added. (end) nk.mt