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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Continuation of cooperation in reconstruction of damaged churches announced

Belgrade, 23 September 2005

Serbian Minister of Culture Dragan Kojadinovic and Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport in the Kosovo interim institutions of self-rule Astrit Haraci agreed during today's talks in Belgrade to appoint culture coordinators who would form working groups responsible for the return of documents and artifacts, and issues related to archeology and cultural exchange of artists.

Astrit Haraci, left, and Dragan Kojadinovic

Author: Tanjug

These coordinators will be accountable to the ministers, while the UNMIK will be facilitator in the process and will request assistance of the Council of Europe, UNESCO and all other international cultural institutions when necessary.

Haraci informed Kojadinovic of the progress in the reconstruction of the churches damaged in Kosovo in March 2004 and added that the Reconstruction Implementation Commission, led by an expert from the Council of Europe, together with its ethnic Albanian and Serb members unanimously chose contracts for the first 11 tenders, approved by the Serbian Orthodox Church.

He said that the reconstruction works should begin on October 10 and added that the Commission announced 19 more tenders.

According to Haraci, the Kosovo interim institutions will have to set aside €1.5 million for the next year, in addition to €4.2 million they have already approved.

Haraci invited the authorities in Belgrade to continue the successful cooperation in this process, so as to ensure that all damaged churches are reconstructed. Kojadinovic welcomed the progress that has been achieved concerning this issue and promised full cooperation in the process.

Ministers Kojadinovic and Haraci also discussed the quality of reconstruction works and agreed to invite both local and international experts whenever the need arises.

Kojadinovic invited film makers from Kosovo-Metohija to take part in the regional festival of documentary film that will be held from November 29 until December 3 in Belgrade under the auspices of the Goethe Institute.

Kojadinovic accepted Haraci’s proposal and invitation to hold the next meeting in Pristina.