Skopje, 20 May 2025 (MIA) — Minister of Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade Timcho Mucunski in his opening remarks at the Cultural Diplomacy Forum taking place in Skopje on May 19-22 said cultural diplomacy was not only a means for affirming national heritage but also a powerful tool for building bridges of understanding and friendship, especially in times of global uncertainty.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Relations and Foreign Trade in a press release, Mucunski said "history has taught us that culture can be both a battleground and a place for dialogue." 

"Our shared responsibility is to choose the second option. For these reasons, we increasingly do not talk about clashing civilisations but about social challenges in the way we understand and accept diversity.

"At a time when some look at culture as a means to geopolitical ends, we affirm it as a space for living together in mutual respect. This is exactly what the European idea, which we contribute to, is: A shared future built on cultural diversity, openness and solidarity," the FM said.

The 2025 Cultural Diplomacy Forum has gathered regional politicians, diplomats, government representatives, businesspeople and members of academia to discuss this year's theme of “Sustainable Development and Cultural Diplomacy: Fostering Global Partnerships.” 

Former president Gjorgje Ivanov also addressed the opening session. He drew attention to the role of cultural diplomacy in times of wars, "children dying under the ruins of strategic goals" and "threats to climate and conscience alike."

"We are holding this forum while facing security, environmental and health crises," Ivanov said. "Social injustice, moral dilemmas. This is why we need to open not only our minds but also our conscience. Not only as politicians, diplomats, scholars or artists, but as people who believe the future has to be built on the basis of human dignity."

Former Czech president Václav Klaus, former Albanian president Rexhep Meidani, former Finnish foreign minister Erkki Tuomioja and former Croatian foreign minister Miro Kovač also spoke at the forum, the release said.

The 2025 Skopje Diplomacy Forum is organized by the foundation International Center Alliance of Civilizations with the support of the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy from Germany.

On the sidelines of the forum, Mucunski on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade signed a memorandum of cooperation with the International Center Alliance of Civilizations, represented by Ivanov, to develop cultural diplomacy and affirm Macedonian culture and identity abroad, the release said. mr/