Macedonia is resuming its cooperation with France, launched in 1999, to preserve and promote cultural heritage. A fourth memorandum envisaging activities for the period between 2013 and 2015 was signed Wednesday by Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and acting French Ambassador to Macedonia Jean-Luc Faurė-Tournaire.

They will be conducted through the Association of European Cities and Regions for Culture 'Les Rencontres' with support by the French embassy and the French Institute in Skopje.

Minister Kanceska-Milevska said the memorandum confirmed the continuity of the cooperation and partnership established with the Association of European Cities and Regions for Culture.

"Recently, plenty of projects have been realised and the activities have helped us to increase our knowledge in relation to protection of cultural heritage and its promotion," she noted.

France's acting ambassador Faurė-Tournaire said the association would help Macedonia to better preserve and promote its rich cultural heritage.

"In 2009, we celebrated the 10th anniversary since the establishment of this cooperation. Thanks to this memorandum, we will be able to work together on promoting the Skopje Old Bazaar. The cooperation is not intended solely for Skopje, it covers several cities across Macedonia," he added.

In 1999, the governments of Macedonia and France signed an agreement on cultural, educational, scientific and technical cooperation, while the countries' ministries of culture signed a cooperation programme in 2010.