Regional cultural co-operation is one of the main keys for a stable and integrated Kosovo and region in EU

Deputy Minister Burbuqe Bakija-Deva participated in the camp "Euro Atlantic Summer School - REACT 2018" organized in Guci of Montenegro.

The deputy minister was part of the panel where it was talked about regional cultural cooperation. She specifically lectured on "Mutual Cultural Co-operation for a Stable Kosovo".



Here is the full speech of the Deputy Minis-ter:

Honorable participants,

Today, it is my honor and a special pleasure to be part of the 11th edition of the Euro Atlantic Summer School - REACT 2018 as an ideal place to raise the values of cultural diversity and dialogue and cooperation between different cul-tures.

Initially, I would like to thank the organizers of this camp, Alfa Center and all the oth-er partners that enabled the organization of this event, because promoting dialogue and cooperation between cultures are the best way to achieve future cooperation such as and build bridges of toler-ance and coexistence.

We can look back and remember good days of art and culture devel-opment in Kosovo. Despite the fact of censorship and the regime of the 1980s, different artists and personalities tried to keep pace with the world's development. With their contribution, energy and motive, they managed to be part of the cultural debate around the world. The pursuit of art develop-ment continues in the 90s. With the language of art and culture expressed the anger of that time and hope for the future.

But today being an Independent State, our citizens can turn their eyes to optimism and the future.

The reciprocal cultural cooperation between the countries of the region and beyond is one of the keys to a stable Kosovo and to opening Europe's doors to Kosovo and other countries in the region.

Particular attention has been paid to the state policies of the Republic of Kosovo for culture and art, ranging from doubling funds for art culture to support for the independence and sustainability of art and culture, as well as the legal protection of artists' work and culture professionals.

Culture is today treated by politics as one of the main conditions for the development of society.

Kosovo has become a quality producer but also in a pas-sionate and eager consumer of art and culture, bringing presentations and important collaborations of the country's artists with their colleagues from the region and beyond.

Among the many collaborations between artists and personalities of culture from Kosovo with their counterparts from the region and beyond it worth mentioning:

Kosovo's participation in the 16th edition of the Architecture Biennale in Venice 2018;

Kosovo's participation in the joint pavilion with Alba-nia at the 71st edition of the Cannes Film Festival;

The presence of the Kosovo Cinema Film Center in the European Film Market, at the prestigious Berlinale Festival;

CCK's participation in the Japan Content Showcase - TIFFCOM 2017 film market, the ally of the great Tokyo International Film Festival;

Kosovo's participation in the International Book Fair in Paris, Frankfurt, Tirana as well as realization of activities foreseen under the Joint Cultural Calendar between the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports of Kosovo and the Ministry of Culture of Albania for the calendar year 2017 and 2018 .

We are preparing an agreement for establishing a common cultural calendar with the Republic of Macedonia, and we hope that we have a common cultural calendar with Montenegro as well.

A special achievement in the cultural and creative sector is the signing of the Agreement between Kosovo and the European Union for access within the European program "Crea-tive Europe" as well as the functionalization of the Creative Europe Kosovo Desk. Participation within this program will provide new opportunities to support the cultural and creative sectors in Kosovo. It will also help build bridges and create space for contact with people, mutual understanding and co-creation.

We as the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports through institutional and legal mechanisms are continuing to meet the defined objectives in the field of culture by creating an institu-tional support environment for the contemporary development of the stage-musical and visual arts in Kosovo and competing in the arena international, promoting the cultural identity of Kosovo within the European cultural identity.

Direct impact on improving the life of citizens in the cultural and artistic aspect we consider that there have been realized annual programs of various public institu-tions, which have duly presented the cultural identity of Kosovo in the international arena during this year, with their participation in international festivals of theater, ballet, film, visual arts, music, cultural promotion and book.

Also in the program of the Government of the Republic of Kosovo for the creation of new cultural policies is the program of support for young artists and new cultural initia-tives. During the four-year period 2017-2021, a new and contemporary approach to cultural policy and action plans will be built, and effective implementation methods for legislation to support the cultural sector, including programs for advancing cultural ties and intercultural exchanges of artists , cultural associations and cultural institutions. There will also be increased support for young artists in the initia-tives that present Kosovo in the countries of the region and the EU.

Promoting dialogue between cultures, promoting tolerance and cooperation between cultures are the best way to achieve co-operation in politics and to build bridges of tolerance and coexistence.

These collaborations are testament to the restoration of communication and cooperation between art and culture in Kosovo and Europe. This journey has just begun and will become even more intensive and more substantial.

Normally, this journey is not without challenges, challenges that, as in the past, largely derive from politics. Kosovo, although a state of 10 years has not yet been recognized by all countries in the region and Europe.

Consequently, young people in Kosovo often have no opportunity to participate in various cultural and sporting activities because Kosovo is the only country in Europe that does not enjoy the free movement of citizens.

This hampers com-munication between Kosovo and the peoples of Europe.

But even here, as Kosovo politi-cians seek ways and ways to reach their counterparts from countries that have not recognized Kosovo, artists and personalities of culture have managed to not only create bridges but also convey the mes-sage that Kosovo is and wants to remain a place where cultural diversity is considered as the asset and essence of identity and being.

Therefore, politicians and politics have nothing but support such activities that create such bridges of communication.

We hope that such a youth camp will be organized in Kosovo and we as MCYS and Government of the Republic of Kosovo pledge to be partners in this activity.