Kosovo's cultural heritage is strategic and programmatic priority of the Government of Kosovo

Minister of Culture, Youth and Sports, Kujtim Shala, took part in the ceremony of launching the project "Building trust by protecting cultural heritage in Kosovo", and important EU and UNDP project in Kosovo, amounting 1.5 million euro.

During his speech, Minister Shala said that Kosovo's cultural heritage is strategic and programmatic priority of MCYS, namely of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo.

He further added that "The government aims to protect, preserve and promote the cultural heritage of Kosovo, as requested by European standards and conventions and as it best suits to a European country."

In his speech, Shala stressed the fact that despite budget difficulties, cultural heritage remains a strategic objective of the Ministry of Culture and the budget for this purpose has increased by over 20% compared with 2015.

Shala also said that "the Government intends to reform the institutional framework of cultural heritage, to advance the implementation and effectiveness of the law. We have finalized and signed list of facilities under Temporary Protection and now we expect Kosovo Heritage Council to finalize the first list of assets under permanent protection. "

Following his speech, he said that "Kosovo's institutions are committed to preserve and protect the cultural heritage of all citizens of Kosovo, without any typology and ethnicity, as Kosovo's cultural heritage belongs to all the people of Kosovo and is heritage of all civilization. The state of Kosovo has an obligation to protect and preserve it in accordance with standards and in cooperation with international organizations. "

Among other, Minister Shala said that "it is the duty and responsibility of institutions to preserve, protect and promote all cultural heritage in Kosovo, which is the heritage and value of the people of Kosovo and the whole of humanity."

On this basis, Shala said "we have worked hard for UNESCO membership process as an important step that brings new standards and new guarantees for the entire and specific cultural heritage of our country."

At the end of his speech, Minister Shala said that MCYS considers that Kosovo's membership in UNESCO is a matter of exceptional importance, taking into account the standards imposed by the organization, concrete programs and benefits that Kosovo institutions and culture will have."