17 December 2025

Dear Minister,

Declaration on the necessity of culture and media as a safeguard for our European democracies

As a committee, we welcome the UK Government being a signatory to the above Declaration which was issued in November 2025 by the Presidency of the Council of the European Union and representatives of European governments.

Our committee’s culture shock report presented the first body of evidence relating to the implications for touring artists from Brexit, the loss of EU funding, and the regulatory framework for broadcasting and video on demand services on sectors which are named in the declaration. As the committee responsible for international relations in the Senedd, we consider cross-border cultural and creative exchanges to be of vital importance. We frequently consider international treaties including the operation in Wales of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Our collective efforts go to the very heart of our shared European history: a history where artists have crossed borders, exchanged ideas and inspirations, and have woven together a shared cultural tapestry. We must do all that we can to ensure that future ties rely on more than chance alone.

We have also written to the Minister for Culture, Media, and Sports, Jakob Engel-Schmidt, to congratulate the Danish Presidency on a Declaration of such vital importance.

 

Yours sincerely,

Delyth Jewell MS

Chair

Culture, Communications, Welsh Language, Sport and International Relations Committee

 

Croesewir gohebiaeth yn Gymraeg neu Saesneg.

We welcome correspondence in Welsh or English.