Stage Project: Third Ministerial Colloquy's Final Statement Issued

ANTALYA - A final statement of the Stage Project: Third Ministerial Colloquy was issued on Friday.
The Ministers for Culture of South Caucasus countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia and the observer states: Greece, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, and Ukraine participating in the Third Ministerial Colloquy of the Stage Project, held in Antalya, from September 18 to 20, adopted the statement.
The statement stressed that it was necessary to preserve and promote the cultural identity of each country in the region, respecting European cultural diversity.
It said, ''the Council of Europe (COE) has a vital role to play in:
-preserving and promoting the cultural identity of each country in the region, respecting European cultural diversity,
-heightening awareness and observance of shared European cultural values, essential to mutual recognition, harmonious coexistence and peace,
-fostering European cultural co-operation, a factor of cohesion and stability.''
The declaration said, ''we express our complete satisfaction at the results achieved by the Stage Project in its three-year span (2001-2003), especially,
-the development of national and sector-specific cultural strategies;
-the launching of a strategy for the training of trainers in the cultural field;
-the development of cultural policies for cities;
-the fostering of relations between culture professionals, dialogue with civil society and new partnerships;
-the strengthening of exchanges and co-operation with other European countries.''
It noted that they proposed that the Council of Europe's co-operation and assistance activities for the South Caucasus countries in the cultural field be continued.
Stating that they thanked countries; Austria, Germany, Greece Switzerland and Turkey; for their financial contributions to the Project, it added, ''we convey our sincere thanks and hearty congratulations to the Turkish authorities for the warmth of welcome and hospitality.''
(EÖ-AÖ) 19.09.2003