Dundee 2023 has issued a damning statement about the EU after being its bid to become European Capital of Culture in 2023 is ineligible.
The Tele revealed this morning that the city’s bid is in tatters because UK cities are not eligible for the title due to Brexit.
A spokeswoman for the European Commission’s Scotland office told the Tele: “As one of the many concrete consequences of its decision to leave the European Union by 29 March 2019, the UK cannot host the European Capital of Culture in 2023.”
How will this decision affect Dundee? Tell us in our poll
Today, a spokesperson for the Dundee 2023 bid responded to our story by issuing a statement.
He said: “We are hugely disappointed at this decision that has come just days before the Dundee bid team was due to travel to London to make its pitch.
“The timing is disrespectful not only to the citizens of Dundee, but to people from all five bidding cities who have devoted so much time, effort and energy so far in this competition.
“It’s a sad irony that one of the key drivers of our bid was a desire to further enhance our cultural links with Europe.
“We are hugely appreciative of the messages of support that are flooding in from around the world, particularly from our UNESCO city partners
“We are seeking urgent meetings with the UK and Scottish Governments to discuss how the enthusiasm and imagination of Dundee’s bid can be taken forward.
“Dundee will also be talking to its Tay Cities region partners, who are such strong supporters of Dundee’s cultural ambitions, and to Scotland’s local authorities who have also backed Dundee’s efforts to become European Capital of Culture 2023.
“Dundee’s bold bid was designed to help continue the transformation of our economy and to provide exciting new opportunities for our young people.
“While the dust is still to settle on what is a bombshell for all of us, the spirit of the bid remains very much alive and kicking.”
The city sent off its now aborted bid to be named the capital of culture on October 26 with a grand ceremony outside the Caird Hall.
How will this decision affect Dundee? Tell us in our poll
Brexit destroys Dundee’s hopes of being European Capital of Culture in 2023