CIS experts to discuss CIS Capitals of Culture program

"The preparation and implementation of the interstate program "CIS Capitals of Culture" is one of the focal points of the CIS Year of Historical and Cultural Heritage which is part of the action plan of humanitarian cooperation for 2011-2012. The interstate program has been initiated by the Humanitarian Cooperation Council and the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund," according to the press service.

According to BelTA, the first session of the expert group took place in Minsk in late 2010. Participants of the session decided to ask Russia to work out the draft of the interstate program "CIS Capitals of Culture" and submit it to the CIS Executive Committee. The second meeting in February 2011 focused on the draft documents.

At the joint session of the Humanitarian Cooperation Council and the CIS Interstate Humanitarian Cooperation Fund Belarus' Gomel and Russia's Ulyanovsk were nominated venues of the pilot project. On 28 February Gomel was awarded a certificate of the 2011 CIS Capital of Culture. On 28 March Ulyanovsk got the same certificate.

After the third session in April the documents were submitted to the CIS Council of Heads of State. However, the issue was put off the agenda of the summit because of some principal remarks and proposals of Belarus and Russia.

On 25 July 2011 the amended version of the program was submitted to the CIS Executive Committee. CIS experts will consider this document at the oncoming session.

The CIS Capitals of Culture program is set to be an effective tool of interstate cultural cooperation. It is aimed at expanding cultural ties between CIS member states, their integration. The program helps create favorable environment for economic, political, humanitarian, social, infrastructure development. The initiative will raise the prestige of the CIS in the international arena.

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