Ulster Unionist Councillor Jim Rodgers has called for common sense to be brought to bear following the European Commission’s decision to exclude Belfast and other UK cities from competing for the title of European Capital of Culture in 2023.
Alderman Rodgers said:
“I am extremely disappointed at the European Commission’s decision barring UK cities from being declared European Capital of Culture in 2023.
“As a former Lord Mayor of Belfast, I know that this offered a superb opportunity to showcase not only the City, but given that the bid also included Londonderry & Strabane, it was a wonderful opportunity to highlight Northern Ireland as a whole.
“I wholeheartedly endorse the comments made by my party colleague, Jim Nicholson MEP, and I too fear that the UK is being punished as a result of the Brexit vote.
“This is particularly hard to take given that the EU has previously named non EU cities - Istanbul and Reykjavik – as European Capital of Culture.
“I call on everyone to unite to ensure that common sense is brought to bear and this decision to deny us the chance to be named European Capital of Culture is reversed.”