The protection of the material and non-material cultural heritage and the prospects of cooperation were discussed in Vilnius at the meeting between the minister of culture and tourism of Azerbaijan Abulfaz Garayev and the Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus, Trend reports with reference the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Azerbaijan.
The meeting was held within Garayevs visit to Lithuania to participate at the 30th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO. The forum that will last up to July 16 brings together about 800 specialists from various countries around the world. Azerbaijan is represented at the event by the delegation headed by the Azerbaijani minister of culture and tourism Bulfaz Garayev.
During the first days of the session, Garayev met and held effective talks with UNESCO secretary-general Koishiro Matsur, ICCROM director-general Munir Bushenak, IKOMOS president Michael Petselt, Lithuanian minister of culture Vladimiras Prudnikovas, Lithuanian ambassador to Turkey and Azerbaijan Vyataustas Nauduzas and other senior officials. The meetings focused on the protection of material and non-material cultural heritage, creation of museums and libraries in accordance with the modern demands and development of tourism. The specialists on many prestigious organizations having international experience expressed thir readiness to come to Azerbaijan for exchange of experience.
The session discussed the condition of monuments that were included in the list of the World Cultural Heritage. Ichair Shahar (Old City) that has been included in the list became a topic of an active discussion of authorized representatives of 21 countries participating at the session. Garavey presented extensive information about the measures taken over past several months for the protection of Icheri Shahar. The members of the World Heritage Committee recommended paying more attention to the protection of this monument that is of world importance.