Skopje, 30 June 2022 (MIA) – We want the Macedonian culture, language and ethnicity, and the uniqueness we have as Macedonians to be recognized. Our strategic goal is to be part of the EU, but we want nothing more or less than what other member states deserve, want or have, said Minister of Culture Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska in an interview with the Albanian TV channel Top Channel, quoting Prime Minister Dimitar Kovachevski. In relation to the  meeting of Western Balkans culture ministers, Kostadinovska-Stojchevska said that culture is the element complementing every other segment which is part of the Open Balkan initiative. “As a Ministry, we have excellent cooperation with the Ministries of Culture of Albania and Serbia, and I can certainly claim that culture will be most visible in the economy, sport and education,” she said. She also said that the ministerial platform for culture, initiatives and meetings are always welcome because it’s always good for everyone to sit down and exchange ideas and practices, especially relating to youth projects. “We have many young artists and the Ministry of Culture has a separate fund investing in their work and development, but I have to highlight that culture in North Macedonia was the only thing that had no budget cuts because people needed culture more than ever before in these past two years, so I think an interesting summer lies ahead,” the Minister of Culture said. The ministers emphasized the challenges they face concerning youth and cultural heritage at the ministerial meeting for the launch of the First Ministerial Platform on the Western Balkans for Culture in Tirana, organized by Mariya Gabriel, Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth. Thirteen projects estimated at EUR 3 million, meant for the Western Balkans to preserve its cultural heritage, are currently being realized. dk/ba/