These summits ensured relaxation of neighborly relations and thus contributed to stabilization of the whole region. Leaders of Southeast Europe countries agreed that regional cooperation is the best proven way to achieve strategic goals, namely NATO and EU, as a prerequisite for lasting stability and prosperity in the region.

This is the conclusion of the joint press conference of the regional leaders attending these two days in Mostar the 10th UNESCO Summit on “Religious, cultural and historical heritage as a basis for intensifying cooperation between states”, where, among the key speakers, was the Macedonian President Dr. Gjorge Ivanov.

The first such summit within the forum “Dialogue among Civilizations”, initiated by the Republic of Macedonia, was held in Ohrid in 2003, at the initiative of late President Boris Trajkovski.

During the Summit, a declaration was unanimously adopted, binding the leaders of each country to protect cultural heritage on its territory and increase cooperation in the fight against illegal trafficking in artifacts and other historical and cultural heritage, as well as to be committed to fostering peace, understanding, trust and cooperation in SEE, building a prosperous common European future.

These meetings helped us a lot in changing the image of the Balkans. First, in strengthening mutual cooperation in areas of common interest, both in cultural, economic and political terms”, President Ivanov said at the press conference after the summit.

Relations between our countries have long been burdened with historical prejudice. For long time and even today we are dealing with the past instead with the future.

"Only through dialogue we can overcome prejudice, conflicts and fear of diversity. The one who communicates becomes integrated and the one who does not communicate becomes ghettoized, saddled with imaginary enmities", added the Head of State.

When asked to comment the allegations of the leader of New Democracy, Antonis Samaras, that together with Prime Minister Nikola Gruevski they destabilize security and stability in the Balkans, President Ivanov said: "If it is a statement of a party leader who, along with Slobodan Milosevic, 20 years ago, was drawing new borders on the maps of the Balkans, then I have no comment".

The Chairman of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bakir Izetbegovic, noted a high level of consent of all participants at the Summit, that culture, as well as religious and cultural-historical heritage, can play a significant role in deepening good-neighborly relations between the countries.

We managed to re-build political dialogue and good neighborly relations, said the Albanian President Bamir Topi, adding that the countries in the region are proud of it and that today's summit is devoted exactly to upgrading relations.

"In this regard, I would like to emphasize again that all "stakeholders" should be present here when we are discussing in the spirit of tolerance and restoration of monuments that belong to the entire humanity", said the Albanian President Topi.

The joint press conference of the leaders of the countries and the other dignitaries in Mostar wrapped up the two-day Summit. Next year, marking the tenth anniversary, the Summit supported by UNESCO will be hosted by the Republic of Macedonia.