TIRANA, June 27 /ATA/ Minister of Culture Elva Margariti stated today that the Western Balkans is part of Europe not only geographically, but also spiritually and from cultural viewpoint.
In a joint press conference with the EU Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth Mariya Gabriel, Margariti said that, “The Western Balkans is not just a multi-coloured mosaic of cultures, but takes on its full meaning within Europe, part of which is not only geographically, but spiritually and from the cultural viewpoint”.
Margariti argued that, “This is the reason why our countries are guided in every initiative by the way to the great European family, about which we not only dream, but it belongs to us”.
“Throughout this Ministerial on Western Balkan Platform on Culture held in Tirana we expressed many commitments. We decided to pursue more policies to help young artists, to orient them towards EC programs. But, we also discussed on how to be part of initiatives and efforts that see culture as an engine of economic development,” said Margariti.
“It is important to create a common cultural market in the Western Balkans because our challenges are similar. We definitely need to raise more awareness in the uncompromising fight against illegal trafficking of cultural heritage, which we talked about at length and we think that a closer cooperation with a dedicated platform would be a concrete response after this Ministerial. We need clear policies for digitalization as an efficient, contemporary instrument that connects the promotion of cultural heritage with young people and the possibility of their employment in the cultural sector”, said Minister Margariti.
“The result of this meeting is the cultural platform of the Western Balkans that will serve not only as a bridge of communication and cooperation between the Western Balkans and Europe, but above all as a bridge of communication between our countries,” said Margariti.
“We will definitely enter this family, not only with the culture, but also with the characteristics that make us as similar, but also different. And I wish that at the next meeting, we are not just members of the same family and not just distant cousins, but a single body”, concluded Margariti./j.p/r.e/p.s./
