Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have a strategy to enhance bilateral relationships with governments of European countries; and if so, whether that strategy includes the development of shared cultural events.

Leaving the EU is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reinvigorate the UK's position on the world stage. The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is working to ensure that our European bilateral relationships have the proportionate levels of investment to deliver our international priorities, harnessing appropriate opportunities to enhance bilateral cooperation. The UK already engages in a number of bilateral civil society events with other European governments. For example, the annual UK-Italy Ministerial Pontignano Conference took place in October 2020, providing an opportunity for dialogue, debate and relationship building with participants from a variety of sectors including cultural leaders. We will continue to ensure that such events continue to deliver for the UK and seek further opportunities for cultural exchange.