Skopje, 17 February 2022 (MIA) – The second meeting of the fourth working group on culture, education and science, tourism, youth and sport, in the framework of the efforts to enhance bilateral cooperation between the Governments of North Macedonia and Bulgaria, took place Thursday amid a friendly atmosphere and a commitment for enhancement and intensification of bilateral cooperation. Culture Minister Bisera Kostadinovska Stojchevska and Bulgarian Minister of Education and Science Nikolai Denkov held a joint press conference after the meeting. “There has been enormous progress on top of the already established long-standing cooperation between the two countries. Cooperation in the fields of education and culture has been continually increasing, including in fields that have not been encompassed until now,” said Minister Kostadinovska Stojchevska. She said cooperation in the culture sector should continue and intensify, primarily through the signing of the 2022-2025 cooperation programme between the countries’ ministries. “Meanwhile, the National Gallery of North Macedonia and Bulgaria’s State Institute for Culture are set to realize their agreed collaboration, the vibrant cooperation between the National Opera and Ballet and opera houses from Varna and Bourgas resumes, as is the cooperation between the archaeological museums,” added Kostadinovska Stojchevska. With regards to education, she referred to the cooperation within the Erasmus programme, through joint science teams and meeting of university rectors. Following the launch of the Skopje-Sofia airline, tourism representatives are already undertaking activities over the signing of a cooperation memorandum between the Bulgarian Ministry of Tourism and North Macedonia’s Ministry of Economy. On youth and sport, Kostadinovska Stojchevska said both sides are already drafting a cooperation memorandum. Minister Denkov welcomed the friendly atmosphere that has contributed to the massive breakthrough in future activities. “We discussed specific projects that we would like to realize in the coming months. Bulgaria’s experience in the Erasmus programme will help our friends and colleagues to be even more successful. We also have joint science programmes in various fields that focus on research,” said Denkov. According to him, signing of a cooperation memo within the Erasmus programme would enable the exchange of students and professors, with a lot to learn from each other in the area of youth and sport. “We will help wherever we can, considering our EU experience and I am sure we will also learn a lot from you,” noted Denkov. He said both countries have good cooperation in the area of university education, especially in the field of medicine and IT. “Rectors from both countries are set to meet and enhance this cooperation. One of the topics is the bilateral recognition of university diplomas, an issue that we can resolve in the coming months,” said Denkov. The two governments have set up four working groups, including a working group on economy, trade and innovation, a working group on infrastructure, transport and connection, a working group focusing on European integration and green policies, and a working group on culture, education and science. Historical issues are discussed by the current Joint Multidisciplinary Expert Commission on Historical and Educational Issues.