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The Government of the Republic of Serbia

In the service of citizens

Central celebration of European Heritage Days begins

Belgrade, 21 September 2007

The central celebration of the European Heritage Days, one of the most important programmes as part of Serbia's Chairmanship of the Council of Europe's Committee of Ministers, began in Belgrade today and will last until September 23.

Author: Fonet

Serbian parliament Speaker Oliver Dulic said at a press conference that the European Heritage Days are important to show that Serbia is a very powerful and influential part of European culture.

He said that today flags of the Council of Europe and the European Union will be lifted in front of the House of Parliament, and that is a historical moment.

He said that Serbia has great support from its European friends, who are today in Belgrade, on its road to the EU.

Serbian Minister of Culture Vojislav Brajovic said that Serbia today starts big changes in the field of protection of cultural heritage by signing several international documents by which the system of European conventions on protection of cultural heritage will be accepted.

We are proud that the central European celebration is held in Serbia, the country of rich history and heritage, which is a mixture of different cultures, the Minister of Culture said.

Brajovic said that the Ministry of Culture treats all monuments in Kosovo-Metohija as Serbia's monuments of culture. With the help of UNESCO, over 30 monuments have been renovated.

Secretary-General of the Council of Europe Terry Davis voiced satisfaction with attending this event and said that after becoming a member of the Council of Europe, Serbia "has fulfilled almost all obligations and passed a large part of the road."

Speaking about the cultural heritage of Kosovo-Metohija, Davis said that it is the heritage of not only Serbia, but all Europe as well.

Head of the European Commission delegation in Serbia Josep Lloveras said that the aim of the European Commission is to help Serbia in the process of EU integration, and added that Serbia is working in that direction together with the European Commission.

He expressed expectation that negotiations on Kosovo-Metohija will result in a solution acceptable to both sides. He stressed that the European Commission and the Council of Europe will support the renewal of cultural heritage in Kosovo-Metohija, and that the EU is ready to set aside funds and make efforts to support the UNESCO initiative.

The event “River – Streams of Heritage” which will be held in Belgrade, and which aims to inform the public on joint European culture, will also be attended by EU Commissioner for Education, Culture, Training and Multilingualism Jan Figel.

An International Round Table on “Common heritage in Europe on the move - adding values to the development potential of European regions” will also be held in the House of Parliament, where joint experience in implementing projects in cultural rehabilitation as contribution towards improving people’s lives, with special emphasis on the experience of South Eastern European countries will be presented.

This will be followed by signing three European conventions – Framework Convention of the Council of Europe on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society, the European Convention on the Protection of Archeological Heritage, and the European Landscape Convention.

A ceremony to celebrate the European Flag Day will also be organised, at which the CoE flag will be raised in front of the House of Parliament.

The European Heritage Days will be observed this evening also in the Terazije Theatre.

The CoE initiated the event European Heritage Days in 1991, with financial help by the European Commission, and with the aim to raise awareness in Europe regarding the significance of heritage and cultural differences in Europe.

The 49 countries which participate in this event are signatory to the European Cultural Convention signed in 1954.

It is estimated that every year some 20 million people visit 30,000 monuments and locations which are included in this project.