On April 16, Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Mykola Tochytskyi held a meeting with the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Ukraine, Alle Dorhout.
The discussion focused on strengthening cooperation between Ukraine and the Netherlands to protect, preserve and restore Ukrainian cultural heritage during the ongoing war.
Mykola Tochytskyi expressed gratitude to the Netherlands for its strong and consistent support since the start of russia’s full-scale invasion, especially for recognizing Ukraine as a priority country in the Dutch Government’s International Cultural Policy Programme for 2024–2028.
Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening cultural dialogue between Ukraine and the Netherlands, especially in literary translation, music, visual arts, museum cooperation, and joint exhibitions.
The Minister thanked the Dutch delegation for taking part in the international culture conference “Cooperation for Resilience” held in Uzhhorod on February 1, and for supporting the Declaration adopted at the event. He also informed the Ambassador about his recent participation in the Informal Meeting of EU Culture Ministers in Warsaw on April 7, held at the invitation of the Polish Presidency of the EU Council. “The Conference in Uzhhorod and the ministerial meeting in Warsaw are important steps toward creating an international cultural coalition. Protecting cultural heritage must be a global priority, as culture forms the foundation of our national identities”, said the Minister.
He also outlined key initiatives, including the creation of a Ukrainian Heritage Fund, stronger international cooperation to prevent the illicit trafficking of culture property, and holding those responsible for crimes against cultural heritage accountable.
The conversation also touched on strategic communications, focusing on countering disinformation and russia’s use of culture as a weapon to distort history, undermine Ukrainian identity, and rewrite Europe’s shared past.
The Ambassador welcomed Ukraine’s recent adoption of the Culture Development Strategy until 2030, which is based on leading European practices and aligns with the EU Work Plan for Culture for 2023–2026.
