Belgrade: Deputy Minister of Culture Dr. Vasiliki Kassianidou and Minister of Culture of Serbia Nikola Selakovic have decided on ways to strengthen cultural cooperation during a meeting at the archaeological site of Viminacium, near Belgrade.
According to Cyprus News Agency, during the meeting, the two ministers discussed the close ties of friendship and cultural cooperation that connect Cyprus and Serbia. They reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening these relations through the development of joint cultural activities.
Dr. Kassianidou expressed the Republic of Cyprus’s gratitude for being selected as an honored country at the 68th Belgrade International Book Fair. She also exchanged views with her Serbian counterpart on ways to enhance cooperation in literature.
The officials talked about signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish a structured, long-term cultural cooperation and a second MoU to combat the illegal trafficking of antiquities, a proposal warmly embraced by the Serbian Minister of Culture.
They also discussed transferring an exhibition on the destruction of Serbia’s cultural heritage in the Kosovo region to Cyprus. The two sides exchanged proposals for further cooperation and exchange of expertise to strengthen their relationship.
After the meeting, the ministers exchanged commemorative gifts and made statements to the media, confirming their intent to deepen cultural cooperation. Dr. Kassianidou received a tour of the Viminacium museum, including the study and conservation laboratories, as well as the archaeological site, where she visited Roman baths, the amphitheater, the necropolis, and a storage area of a recently located Roman ship.