Following the news that the European Commission has told the UK Government that a British City cannot be a European Capital of Culture in 2023, SDLP Leader Colum Eastwood said called for a special case and on the Irish Government to intervene.
He said: “The news that the European Commission has written to the British Government to state that a British City cannot be a European Capital of Culture in 2023 is bitter blow for the joint bid from Belfast and Derry.
“This is deeply disappointing for the people of the two cities and for those who have worked so hard to progress the joint bid.
“The SDLP has today written directly to the EU Commission to ask that we are treated as a special case. I’ve also made contact with the Irish Government to ask for their immediate intervention with the EU Commission to ask that the bid for the two cities on the island of Ireland can proceed.
“The SDLP long warned that Brexit would lead to economic instability and prevent growth in our communities, that reality has now hit home.
“The people of the North voted to remain, they voted to protect their socio-economic needs. We must unite and face down the DUP/Tory Brexiteers to protect Ireland’s interests."
A Belfast City Council spokesperson said they were currently seeking clarification on the matter.
"We are aware that DCMS is still in discussions with the European Commission on behalf of all five cities involved and are seeking urgent clarification on the matter," the spokesperson said.
"We are, however, deeply disappointed with this recent development, but are committed to ensuring that the time, energy, enthusiasm, ideas and resources put into our bid are carried forward regardless. It is still our intention to ensure our cultural ambitions are realised and will be in discussion with DCMS and Derry City and Strabane District Council in the coming days."
Sinn Féin Councillor and group leader on Derry City and Strabane District Council Paul Fleming called on Europe to recognise that the people of the North voted to remain and that the Belfast, Derry and Strabane bid for European Capital of Culture should not be excluded.
Cllr Fleming said: “The decision to exclude the bid of Belfast, Derry and Strabane from the European Capital of Culture decisions is wrong and short sighted.
“It is yet another example of the disaster that Brexit continues to be for Ireland.
“In 2008 the Liverpool economy benefited to the tune of close to a billion pounds and visitor numbers increased by 34%.
“The potential of this for Belfast, Derry and Strabane in 2023 is now gone and the DUP, the Tories and other local pro-Brexit parties need to bear the blame.
“It highlights clearly the need for Designated Special Status within the EU for the north of Ireland.
“If this decision is allowed to stand it will have a massive negative impact on our tourism and hospitality sector and will affect the potential creation of a huge number of jobs.
“Every effort must be made to overturn this decision and Sinn Féin will play its part in opposing this decision.
“It is now incumbent upon businesses, tourism organisations and the public to stand up and speak out for special status and against those whose support for Brexit is causing serious economic damage to the economy.”
Retail NI also expressed disappointment with the decision.
Retail NI Chief Executive Glyn Roberts said: “Retail NI is a strong supporter for Belfast and Derry to secure the title of European Capital of Culture. To have achieved this would be a game changer, not just for our two main cities, but also potentially for our wider NI economy”
“Previous experience shows that securing the European Capital of Culture title can act as a catalyst to supporting the social, cultural, economic and physical regeneration of the wider region”
"We urge the UK Government to challenge this unfair decision and for the European Commission to think again”
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