Skopje, 25 October 2023 (MIA) - As part of her working visit to London, Minister of Culture Bisera Kostadinovska-Stojchevska met Wednesday with Victoria Billing, Director for Europe at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and with the Director of the British Council's Global Network, Charlie Walker. 

Kostadinovska-Stojchevska and Billing reaffirmed the 30-year partnership and friendship between North Macedonia and the United Kingdom, with the Minister of Culture highlighting strong commitment to developing and strengthening the bilateral partnership with the United Kingdom, the Ministry of Culture said in a press release.

"Kostadinovska-Stojchevska also expressed gratitude for the support in the area of economic cooperation, as well as for the strong commitment of the United Kingdom in the country's European integration process," reads the press release.

The Minister of Culture highlighted the importance of cultural exchange in accordance with the agreement signed in the area of culture, which is a legal framework for strengthening the exchange. Kostadinovska-Stojchevska and Billing expressed mutual gratitude for the cooperation so far, noting that North Macedonia is an important partner in the relations with the United Kingdom, with which it shares the same values. 

Minister Kostadinovska-Stojchevska shared with the Director of the British Council's Global Network, Walker, the extremely positive role of the global network in North Macedonia, pointing out that the cooperation between the Ministry of Culture and the British Council has enabled the development of the cultural and creative industries in the country, as well as the implementation of many joint projects through national institutions in culture and education. 

Talks also tackled possibilities of greater availability of the British Council's programs in North Macedonia and intensifying campaigns to affirm them, said the Ministry of Culture.

The Minister of Culture also visited the School of Slavonic and East European Studies at the University College London. 

Later in the day, Kostadinovska-Stojchevska will meet with representative of the Women Over 50 Film Festival (WOFFF). 

In addition, Kostadinovska-Stojchevska will address a concert on the 30th anniversary since the establishment of diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom, alongside UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, Lord Stuart Peach. 

Photo: Ministry of Culture