Intergovernmental and interministerial cooperation programmes
Intergovernmental and interministerial cooperation agreements are usually designed to strengthen cooperation ties between the countries, contribute to mutual understanding, exchange information and best practice, spread knowledge about their cultures, as well as foster cooperation in the field of culture by taking part in various events and activities organized in each country. As tools for implementing intergovernmental/interministerial agreements co-operation programmes are periodically reviewed and signed with the aim to exchange commitments for cultural cooperation and cultural exchange with partner Governments and Ministries, and to provide a legal basis for practical activities of exchange, such as cooperation programmes and projects, budgetary programmes, visa alleviations etc.
The most recent intergovernmental cooperation programmes signed are with Poland (2013-2016), Israel (2013-2015, new programme in process), Wallonia (2014-2016), Flanders (2015-2017) and China (2016-2020). Interministerial cooperation programmes signed in recent years are with the Baltic States (2015-2018), Belarus (2013-2015, new programme in process), Azerbaijan (2012-2014), Armenia (2015-2018), Russia (2013-2015) and Uzbekistan (2014-2016).
In general, cooperation programmes between countries serve as tools helping to foster cultural diplomacy and building awareness, dialogue and relations across nations, traditions, borders, cultures and people, also enabling the implementation of the priority cooperation activities mutually agreed upon between the stakeholders.
Yearly budget for the projects that has been prepared based on the priorities set in the cooperation programmes that serves as a co-financing for these projects is around EUR 150K.