Skopje, 5 September 2023 (MIA) - The inaugural Skopje Cultural Diplomacy Forum, which kicks off on Tuesday, will focus on promoting democracy, unity and peace through cultural diplomacy in a new era of conflict and violence through panel discussions, meetings and visits of state institutions for exchange of ideas and opinions on a number of topics.

Former President Gjorge Ivanov will open the forum, followed by Skopje Mayor Danela Arsovska and Institute for Cultural Diplomacy Director-General Mark Donfried.

A presidential panel will take place after the opening, including former heads of state of Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria and Albania, Ivo Josipovic, Boris Tadic, Petar Stoyanov and Bamir Topi respectively, and former Bosnia-Herzegovina Presidency Chairman Mladen Ivanic, discussing cultural dialogue and exchange in the Western Balkans.

Bundestag member Armin Laschet, former Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde, former Member of European Parliament (MEP) Elmar Brok, ex-PMs of Moldova and Lebanon, Natalya Gavrilita and Hassan Diab respectively, and incumbent MPs from Scotland, Croatia, Romania, Ireland and the EP will also take part.

The forum is co-organized by Gjorge Ivanov's Office, the Institute for Cultural Diplomacy-Berlin, the City of Skopje and International Center Alliance of Civilizations, in the framework of “The Forum on Democracy & Peace 2022-27” project.

Photo: MIA archive