Skopje, 8 June 2022 (MIA) – We need to use EU funds and opportunities for the Open Balkan region to improve our citizens' connections and relationships through culture and the arts as our contribution to a culturally rich and diverse Europe, said Deputy PM for European Affairs addressing the panel session “Open Balkan Opens Tourism” within Open Balkan Summit held Wednesday in Ohrid. “Culture is an area that encompasses a wide range of elements ranging from traditions, customs, common values, heritage and art in all its forms and areas that shape the identity of a nation. The beauty of a culture is that it is constantly developing and that each generation contributes to the enrichment of cultural heritage,” Marichikj said. “Our obligation is to make efforts to preserve the cultural and at the same time to invest in the art and creativity of individuals as a contribution to the development of culture, but also other areas that have a direct or indirect impact on culture such as education and technological development,” he noted. Marichikj pointed out that governments will undertake obligations within the Open Balkan initiative "to promote regional mobility of artists and experts, to support regional policies for cooperation in the field of art and culture, through exchange of experiences, networking and promotion of culture and art of artists from the Western Balkans in an international context, as well fostering the mobility of artists for interdisciplinary cooperation in the field of art and culture which creates economic and social innovations that are a step forward in promoting cultural diversity, intercultural dialogue and mutual understanding in the region.” In the wider context of our perspective on EU and future membership, this approach is in line with the New European Agenda for Culture adopted in 2018, which aims to harness the full potential of culture to help build a more inclusive and fairer Union, supporting innovation, creativity and sustainable jobs and growth, he noted. Marichikj referred to funding opportunities under North Macedonia's cross-border programmes with Albania and Serbia. “Cross-Border Cooperation Programme Albania – North Macedonia for the period 2021 – 2027 has thematic priorities such as tourism and cultural and natural heritage and can be funded to promote a common, sustainable approach to improving and sustainable use of natural and cultural heritage for development of tourism as well as for raising the awareness of the population and tourists about the richness of the natural and cultural heritage as well as the need for its protection and sustainable use. This will be funded with over €6 million for the seven-year period. While the Cross-Border Cooperation Programme North Macedonia – Serbia for the period 2021-2027 is supported by about €4 million,” he said. The future cooperation in culture is already defined in the cooperation agreement that will be signed today by the Ministers of Culture of the three countries and with this agreement and funding opportunities we have a solid basis for approaching this common goal, Marichikj said at the panel.