Distinguished Attendees, Esteemed Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

I avail myself of this occasion to express my distinct pleasure that today I have the opportunity to greet this prominent gathering which once again underscores the importance of UNESCO, at the same time attracting world intellectual, political and media elites.

The pleasure is even greater because the Republic of Macedonia is the country-initiator of this kind of gatherings. In 2003, the late President Boris Trajkovski has started this series of meetings and summits devoted to culture to which, to our great satisfaction, UNESCO and the Council of Europe acceded.

I am confident that this year’s forum will facilitate exchange of experiences and opinions which will confirm our mutual willingness for cooperation and our efforts to promote our countries as active stakeholders in building European architecture. Therefore, I congratulate this year’s host.

In 2013, when my country will hold the Presidency of the South East European Cooperation Process, we will mark the 10th anniversary of this type of meetings. Therefore, I would like to use this solemn occasion to underline the desire and readiness of the Republic of Macedonia to host the Summit in 2013. I am convinced that there are several reasons for this.

Esteemed Excellencies,

The Republic of Macedonia, being a UNESCO member-state, has always paid great attention to the cooperation with the Organization, particularly in the field of culture and art, areas in which the creative energy is most directly released and exchanged between the artists. For us, culture and art have always been efficient mediators in understanding and respecting differences between our cultures.

We are especially proud of the cooperation with UNESCO in the field of cultural and historical heritage of the Republic of Macedonia and of the entire region. Therefore, I would like to emphasize that we highly appreciate UNESCO’s efforts in promoting regional cooperation with the purpose of intensifying protection and promotion of our cultural heritage through new and creative approaches which ensure continuous development. In this regard, I would like to mention the importance of cultural tourism, having direct effects on the economic development of the country.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The Republic of Macedonia is a country with long and rich culture, with fascinating, profound spiritual roots. It is a country-museum, a country of archaeological sites, a land of spiritual sanctuaries, a land of fortresses and bazaars, artifacts with great historic and artistic values that reflect the spirit of Macedonian people and Macedonian state. Throughout the long and rich history of Macedonian people and ethnic communities that lived and still dwell on our soil, an invaluable cultural heritage has been created from which even today we draw the sense of identity, love and respect for our roots and traditional values.

This cultural and religious diversity of Macedonia is a source of great creative potential and a bridge to mutual understanding, respect and coexistence. Hence, not by coincidence, our country hosted the First and Second World Conference on Dialogue among Religions and Civilizations through which we proved that only the exchange of opinions and experiences will enable people to re-discover the wealth of the diversities, cultural exchange and cooperation. We confirmed that only through dialogue based on utmost mutual respect and praising diversity and values of others, we can preserve and maintain peace, and follow the ideals of the modern world.

Your Excellencies,

The rich multiethnic, multi-confessional and multilingual tradition of my country was a reason more for the Republic of Macedonia to file an application to become a member of the Executive Board, the highest body of UNESCO. We expect a positive answer to our candidacy at the 36th UNESCO General Conference in October this year. I would like to assure you that Macedonia will consistently strive to further develop UNESCO, to strengthen its international role, to promote the traditional cooperation with all member-states. My country will make every effort for efficiency in the work and stimulation of the intellectual and material potential in solving global challenges facing mankind, which are within the scope of UNESCO.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Turning to the theme of this year’s Summit, through abstract art to reconciliation on the Balkans, let me share with you some of my observations.

John Kennedy once said: “We must never forget that art is not a form of propaganda; it is a form of truth”.  And to this quote I would add that it is the truth that sets us free from prejudice and paves the path to reconciliation.

Art and reconciliation have a common feature, that each art requires courage, as reconciliation does. Courage in this regard understood not only as a willingness to take the first step, but to accept different opinions, considerations, views concerning the world and the reality.

I am glad that at this table there are leaders who do not lack courage, who demonstrate their bravery by participating in such gatherings.

I believe that this particularly refers to the abstract art because it requires courage not only of the artist but also of the viewer who is confronted with the work of art. The artist should be brave to offer a different understanding of reality, while the viewer should accept or at least not reject the unconventional view of reality.

The classic works of art leave little room for interpretation beyond the cultural matrix in which they are created. Icons, frescoes and iconostases are definite artistic expressions of Christian cultures, as the calligraphy and arabesques are signs of recognition in the Islamic culture.

Abstract art leaves room for interpretation, for a different view even beyond cultural and civilization patterns. It gives opportunity to every person, regardless of ethnicity, language and culture, to find the meaning for himself.

I believe that this is the greatest power of abstract art – it provides for unity in diversity, unity in various views, beliefs, understandings of the work and the messages.

Distinguished Attendees,

At the end, I would like to express my conviction that the greatest art is to live a fulfilled life in harmony with nature and people, while having own opinion and respecting the opinion of others. Open mind creates open space which in our region brings peace, stability and prosperity. I hope that the activities that will emerge from this Summit will contribute in opening the mind, and thus the region.

Great challenge for us all, Excellencies, is to live and materialize the great dream of the Macedonian national hero of the 20th century, Goce Delchev: “I see the world only as a field for cultural competition among nations”.

Once again, allow me to extend my congratulations to President Tadic.

What makes me particularly glad is that next year we will be hosted by our friends from Bosnia and Herzegovina, most probably in the city in the vicinity of which my predecessor, the great President Trajkovski lost his life, the man who gave the idea and is most deserving for the tradition of these gatherings.

Thank you.