In a move that underscores solidarity and collaboration within the European media landscape, ARTE GEIE has officially welcomed Suspilne Ukraine into its network of partner broadcasters. The decision was formalized at an extraordinary general assembly held in Strasbourg. A delegation from the Kyiv-based broadcaster attended the meeting for the formal announcement.
ARTE president Heike Hempel and vice-president Bruno Patino emphasized the agreement's importance for the cultural channel’s broader European strategy. With Suspilne now on board, ARTE's network expands to encompass 13 partner broadcasters across the continent.
"This is an extraordinary day for ARTE – the association agreement with the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Ukraine moves us deeply and fills us with pride," Hempel stated. "Our two organisations share common goals and values, which the teams at Suspilne Ukraine defend under the most difficult conditions."
Patino added that the partnership strengthens ARTE’s European presence and "paves the way for high-quality, ambitious co-productions," highlighting the broadcaster’s commitment to upholding democratic values and fostering unity throughout Europe.
Mykola Chernotytskyi, CEO of Suspilne Ukraine, characterized the alliance as both a professional collaboration and a symbolic demonstration of support during a pivotal period for Ukraine. "This partnership between ARTE and Suspilne Ukraine is not only a sign of professional cooperation, but also a powerful declaration of solidarity and shared values," he said. "As Ukraine fights for its freedom and democratic future, belonging to the European cultural and media community means a great deal to us."
The agreement is set to facilitate increased co-production initiatives between ARTE and Suspilne. ARTE has actively supported Ukrainian creatives, notably through Generation Ukraine, a collection of documentaries exploring the war's social and human repercussions.
During the same assembly, ARTE's members also approved an extension of its association agreement with Spanish public broadcaster RTVE, a long-standing partner in numerous co-production ventures. The ARTE network now includes Suspilne Ukraine (Ukraine), SVT (Sweden), LPM (Latvia), RTVE (Spain), LRT (Lithuania), Film Fund Luxembourg, RTÉ (Ireland), RAI Com (Italy), ČT (Czech Republic), ORF (Austria), YLE (Finland), SRG SSR (Switzerland) and RTBF (Belgium).