Minister of Culture Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and Deputy Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, Vladimir Titov signed Thursday a cooperation programme in the field of culture, education, science and sports between the countries' governments for the period between 2012 and 2015.

The programme represents a legal framework for boosting the relations between Macedonia and the Russian Federation, thus enhancing the cooperation between institutions as well as exchanging projects and artists. An opportunity is being opened for mutual recognition of certificates from Macedonian and Russian higher education institutions. An agreement establishing cultural centers is due to be signed.

Prior to signing the programme, Kanceska-Milevska held a meeting with Titov. She extended gratitude for Russia's support surrounding the country's constitutional name, culture and identity.

Minister Kanceska-Milevska said that a number of projects had been realised with Russia at institutional level. She mentioned the Days of Macedonian Culture, which were organised in Moscow and Saint Petersbourg, the well-organised cultural cooperation between national institutions and the manifestation Days of Russian Spiritual Culture that took place in Macedonia in 2010.

She thanked all of the artists that designed some of the exhibits, paintings and scenes in the new museums dedicated to the Macedonian struggle for independence, VMRO and victims of the communist regime.

The minister also praised the efforts made in translating and publishing books from Macedonian into Russian.

"We are not planning to end the cooperation at cultural and educational level, on the contrary we want to improve it. Active efforts are being made to open cultural and information centers in both countries," Russia's Deputy Minister Titov stressed.