Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and Italian Ambassador Ernesto Massimino Bellelli signed Thursday the 2016-2019 program for cooperation in culture, education and science, the fourth such document in a row.

Calling the bilateral document ‘vital’, Kanceska-Milevska said it was yet another confirmation that Macedonia and Italy were fostering excellent relations and exceptional cooperation in culture, science and education.

“The myriad of cultural events organized over the years in Macedonia and Italy have undoubtedly enhanced and improved the countries’ cultural ties becoming an inspirational example of successful and fruitful cooperation,” she said.

In the past several years, Macedonia has organized many cultural events, including concerts, exhibitions and plays, in Italy and vice versa.

“Macedonia in the past few years has also had notable presentations in the art and architecture biennale in Venice, considered of paramount importance for promoting Macedonia’s culture and art,” she said.

Macedonia and Italy also cooperate with respect to co-producing film projects after signing an agreement last year. Moreover, Macedonia for three years has been hosting Giffoni Macedonia – a regional children’s film festival, an addition to Italy’s Giffoni Experience, which is the largest film festival for children and teens.

“All of these activities carried out in the past several years are stemming from the excellent cooperation with the Italian embassy in Macedonia and Ambassador Bellelli,” Kanceska-Milevska said thanking him for his understanding and support for projects related to culture, education and science.

Ambassador Bellelli said the program ‘marked the completion of a prolific and close cooperation as well as the start of a stronger cooperation between the countries in the field of culture, education and science.’

“Italy is very sensitive when it comes to culture, because a majority of the cultural heritage belongs to the country. Therefore, it feels obligated to support those countries that are truly trying to preserve culture and their own cultural heritage,” said the Italian Ambassador, whose tenure in Macedonia is coming to an end.