Minister of Culture, along with 16 Central and Eastern European countries and Chinese ministers, signed the Hangzhou Declaration_Cooperation between China and Central and Eastern European Countries

Minister of Culture, along with 16 Central and Eastern European countries and Chinese ministers, signed the Hangzhou Declaration

Economic and Commercial Counsellor’s Office in Lithuania

2017/09/29

　　Minister of Culture Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson continues her visit to the People's Republic of China. On September 22, the Minister participated in the 3rd Forum of Central and Eastern European Countries and China on Cultural Cooperation, which takes place in Hangzhou. During the Forum, the Hangzhou Declaration was signed, which approved the cooperation plan of these countries for 2018-2019.

　　During the Forum, the ministers of culture of 16 Central and Eastern European countries and China discussed the results and challenges of two years of cultural cooperation. Minister Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson delivered a report highlighting the exceptional achievements of Lithuania's participation in the 16 + 1 format. "We are very proud that we have succeeded in presenting Lithuanian culture and art in China in various contexts, especially successful and versatile was the field of visual and artistic arts," said Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson.

　　The Hangzhou Declaration was signed at the end of the forum, which approved the cooperation plan of these countries for 2018-2019.

　　It provides for the strengthening of direct exchanges between art organizations, associations, creative youth, the organization of cultural and creative industries, heritage, library expert forums, artists' creative camps, and the provision of conditions for the Chinese cultural and artistic presentations in Europe.

　　In order to improve the exchange of cultural information between 16 + 1 countries, to better coordinate the activities of the various arts associations, the Hangzhou Forum has supported the establishment of a 16 + 1 Cultural Cooperation Coordination Center in Macedonia and signed a Memorandum of Understanding. It is planned that the center will start operating from the beginning of next year.

　　Minister of Culture Liana Ruokytė-Jonsson attended a bilateral meeting with Chinese Minister of Culture Luo Shugang. During the meeting, possible solutions were discussed in order to facilitate the creative trips of Lithuanian and Chinese artists by providing them with cultural visas.

　　Minister of Culture L. Ruokytė-Jonsson, together with the Ministers of Culture of China, Macedonia and Hungary, attended a press conference, in which the minister emphasized that this cooperation is beneficial to all parties. She emphasized that Lithuania and the Baltic States, members of the European Union, are one of the fastest developing economies in the region, open to all ideas and cooperation. "We appreciate that the 16+1 forum focuses primarily on people's relationships. It is especially important that this format of cooperation enables to initiate many direct exchanges, and cooperation between CEEC countries is equally important. We need to intensify the dialogue, not forgetting that the main goal of this cooperation is the people, "the minister said. She invited Chinese cultural organizations to contribute to the celebration of the centenary of Lithuania in China.

　　On September 23, the Minister of Culture participated in the ceremony of the signing of the Agreement on the Establishment of the Union of Central and Eastern European Countries and the Chinese Academy of Music, in which Lithuania was represented and the agreement was signed by the rector of the Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theater, Professor Zbignev Ibelgauptas. The next forum of the ministers of culture of 16 Central and Eastern European countries and China will be held in 2019 in Macedonia.