site.btaSoutheast European Culture Ministers Welcome Bulgaria's Proposal to Set Up Fund for Cultural Cooperation among Countries in Region

Bulgaria’s caretaker Culture Minister, Nayden Todorov, took part in a meeting of the Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe on December 5 and 6 at the invitation of Montenegro’s Minister of Culture and Media, Tamara Vujović, the Bulgarian Culture Ministry’s press service said on Friday. 

The conference, organized by Montenegro's Ministry of Culture and Media in collaboration with the UNESCO Regional Bureau for Science and Culture in Europe, aimed to strengthen cultural cooperation between Southeastern European countries and UNESCO, as well as other international organizations.

Themed Culture and Art for Sustainable Development, the conference highlighted the role of culture and the arts in fostering intercultural dialogue, promoting human rights and deeper appreciation of cultural diversity, and building mutual respect among nations.

Speaking at the event, Minister Todorov said, "Culture, cultural heritage, and related policies undoubtedly have the potential to be among the key drivers of this process, particularly in Southeastern Europe". He added that the Bulgarian Culture Ministry is working at national, regional, and local levels towards building a more cohesive society, providing public funding for regional and municipal cultural institutions, including 3,500 community centres across the country. "This policy of decentralization helps address territorial inequalities, improving the well-being of a larger number of citizens," he stated.

He also affirmed Bulgaria's support for the Herceg Novi declaration on culture and arts for sustainable development. The declaration incorporates Bulgaria's proposal to establish a fund for cultural cooperation among Southeastern European countries, along with a statute to govern its operations.

The meeting concluded with the adoption of the declaration, including Bulgaria's proposal, which was warmly welcomed by the Ministers of Culture of South East Europe.