Hague. 'UK determined to preserve memory'
Photo: AFP
UK appoints envoy for post-Holocaust Issues
Former Ambassador to Israel Sir Andrew Burns will be responsible for leading British government's efforts on post-Holocaust work including resolving property and arts restitution issues, promoting international cooperation on Holocaust education, remembrance and research
British Foreign Secretary William Hague has appointed Sir Andrew Burns as the United Kingdom’s first Envoy for post-Holocaust Issues, Ynet learned Wednesday.
Burns, a former UK Ambassador to Israel, will be responsible for leading the British government’s efforts on a range of important post-Holocaust work. This includes driving forward implementation of the Terezin Declaration on Holocaust Era Assets, resolving outstanding issues related to property and art restitution, and ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of discussions on the vital work of the Task Force for International Cooperation on Holocaust Education, Remembrance and Research and of the International Tracing Service.
"The UK is determined to preserve the memory of the Holocaust for future generations. Sir Andrew’s appointment will ensure that we continue to support those working to right past wrongs and remain at the forefront of international discussions, to make sure that the lessons of this terrible period in our history are never forgotten," Hague said.
“As a former UK Ambassador to Israel and chairman of the Anglo-Israel Association, Sir Andrew’s wealth of experience means he is ideally placed to tackle the challenges this post presents,” he added.
Sir Andrew Burns stated, " I am deeply honored by the confidence the government places in me to develop and drive forward policy on such a wide range of post-Holocaust issues.
"I shall make it an early priority to talk to a broad range of experts and others with an interest in or knowledge of post-Holocaust subjects, in Whitehall and parliament and in the wider community, in order to understand as well as I can the scope and substance of the issues involved and can develop a properly coordinated and strategic way forward in international discussions.”
