Resolution of ECP: Kosovo must be accepted as a partner in the cultural program of EU

European Cultural Parliament (ECP) concluded today its works of the 13th session which was held from 3rd of October in Prishtina.

In this occasion, around 100 members that participated from Europe issued a Statement for Ukraine and the Resolution of the Session, where amongst others they encourage the European Union to include Kosovo in the cultural programs. ECP also highly appreciated the role that the state of Kosovo is giving to culture.

During the three day session, various topics were discussed, amongst which; the role of cultural diplomacy, artists and gender equality, role of artists in conflicts, population in Europe, and other topics. Also during these days participants had the opportunity to see the cultural heritage of Kosovo. A concert was organised for them by the National Ensemble of Songs and Dancing ‘Shota’.

Members of ECP highly appreciated the organisation of 13th session and thanked the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports and British Council in Kosovo for welcoming.

Below find the Resolution and the Statement of ECP:

RESOLUTION

Statement of Prishtina in the occasion of organisation of European Culture Parliament

October 2014

European Culture Parliament, aiming to bring into light the value of culture for Europe and its society, in order to release the value of culture for Europe and its societies, states the following:

- Facing the growing geopolitical tensions and lack of safety, the European art and culture must encourage and develop an open dialogue on the values of democratic and human society;

- Freedom of artistic and cultural creating, including freedom of speech and critics as its constituting part through art and literature, they are fundamental rights which have been rooted deeply in the democracy and cultural tradition of Europe;

- A key factor in protection of this freedom is the European model on public responsibility for art. This model must be protected by not being risked by today’s trade negotiations between EU and USA;

- The soul of Europe is worth more than the economic and political realities and the need is growing for a real cultural dimension for the politics in Europe;

- artists and cultural personalities have a central role on protection of European values of democracy, tolerance and humanism which are being challenged by neo-nationalism, populism and propaganda;

- Building a state is a process which is grounded on defining the power of contribution of this state in the world and not any longer in the competing identity.

- Europe has a powerful and complex history, but its people must be ready to create a successful future inspired by history, and not to become its prisoners;

- quality and success of businesses and organisations can grow through active creation, aesthetic values and skills;

- art and sector of culture can and must fight continuously for equality, including gender and political, leading and operational equality.


Gathered in Kosovo, European Culture Parliament greets the central role that culture plays in the new state building and declares as follows:

- Kosovo must be accepted very soon as a partner of the cultural program of EU;

- In the course of the continuous process of European integration, citizens of Kosovo must be immediately given the right to travel without visas into the European area;

- Network of youth of ECP finds that the young artists and professionals of the culture in Kosovo are a key and a necessary force for the cultural vitality. They need to be empowered and to have access to management of culture and artistic areas, and they must be supported by the cultural policies.


STATEMENT

Members of European Culture Parliament, gathered in Prishtina, on 4 October 2014, taking into consideration violation of territorial integrity of the state of Ukraine, state as follows

- The Parliament expresses deep concern regarding the sufferings of all citizens of Ukraine;

- Parliament condemns returning of the concept of spheres of interest in Europe and expresses its deep concern on the distorted Russian propaganda, which isolates Russians from the remaining part of Europe;

- ECP encourages its members and all cultural personalities to keep in touch continuously with their Russian and Ukrainian colleagues and until criticizing its government, to avoid demonising of Russia, its citizens and its rich cultural heritage;

- members of ECP are committed to spreading of their powerful feelings regarding the issues related to Ukraine and Russia, having in consideration the new and destructive division brought by this crisis in Europe;

- Ukrainian director Oleg Sentsov, accused for terrorism on suspicious grounds, captured in Crimea, and is currently being held in Moscow must be immediately released.