site.btaBulgarian Culture Minister Addresses World Heritage Convention General Assembly Session

November 26 (BTA) - In the framework of the 41st Session of the General Conference of UNESCO in Paris, Bulgarian Culture Minister Velislav Minekov addressed the 23rd Session of the General Assembly of States Parties to the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, the Culture Ministry reported on Friday.

Minekov said that Bulgaria, as a member of the World Heritage Committee, will work to make the World Heritage List more balanced and representative by placing the focus on enhancing heritage protection and tightening management and safeguard regulations. He hailed the progress achieved so far in implementing the strategic action plan and said that Bulgaria looks forward to working together with the other states parties for the implementation of the Heritage Convention.

While in Paris, Minekov talked with French Culture Minister Roselyne Bachelot on Thursday. The two agreed that Bulgaria and France will prepare a memorandum of cooperation for building an international cultural centre on the Sts. Cyricus and Julitta Island near the Bulgarian coastal town of Sozopol, the Culture Ministry in Sofia reported.

The project aims to promote cultural heritage and arts. The centre will be a meeting place for artists and will provide environment for their professional development. It will also contribute to national and international tourism's development.

Both Minekov and Bachelot expressed satisfaction with the election of Bulgaria as a member of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee.

Discussing the Sts. Cyricus and Julitta project, Minekov told Bachelot that Bulgaria is looking for EU funding for the restoration and conservation of all buildings on the island.

Minekov and Bachelot further discussed a Bulgarian-French project for training Bulgarian architects in preserving cultural heritage. The French school Chaillot, the National Institute of Immovable Cultural Heritage and the University of Architecture, Civil Engineering and Geodesy in Sofia are part of the programme, which is unique for the Balkans.

In the French capital, Minekov also met with UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, the Culture Ministry said. The two sides discussed conservation of cultural heritage and potential future cooperation. Ramirez accepted Minekov's invitation to visit Bulgaria shortly and to get acquainted with its rich cultural heritage, including the Sts. Cyricus and Julitta Island. RY/DS/KK/VE