site.btaBulgaria Proposes to Southeast European Countries Common Strategy in Support of Culture

Bulgaria Proposes to Southeast European Countries Common Strategy in Support of Culture

Sofia, February 25 (BTA) - The countries of Southeast Europe (SEE) should make a step towards the elaboration of a strategy for development of the region, Bulgarian Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov said addressing the Second Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Culture of South-Eastern Europe in Istanbul, quoted by his Ministry. According to him, this could be achieved by using the resource of culture, cultural and natural heritage and the related industries.

Participating in the forum are delegates from 12 countries and UNESCO Deputy Secretary General Francesco Banderin.

Very few countries can boast such a rich cultural heritage as the SEE countries and, therefore, a common strategy may be useful in this process. This document may be based on the concept of the EU Innovation Strategy for Smart Specialisation 2014-2020 and the experience of the development of the Danubian region.

The culture ministers were unanimous about the need of strengthening the fight against illegal trafficking of values and the need of more active use of the potential of culture and tourism in the economic development.

They adopted a joint declaration for protection and sustainable management of cultural heritage. In the sidelines of the even Minister Rashidov had bilateral meetings with his counterparts from the region.