Intergovernmental and interministerial cooperation programmes
To strengthen cooperation ties between the countries, to contribute to mutual understanding, to exchange information and best practice,to spread knowledge about their cultures, as well as to foster cooperation in the field of culture by taking part in various events and activities organized in each country. As tools for implementing of intergovernmental/interministerial agreements co-operation programmes are periodically reviewed and signed.
At present there are 3 running intergovernmental cooperation programmes where culture is integrated as an essential part of cooperation (with Flanders (Belgium), Wallonie (Belgium) and Israel) and 5 interministerial cooperation programmes in the field of culture (1) between Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania; (2) with Russia; (3) China; (4) Armenia; (5) Nordic - Baltic Mobility programme for culture. The Cultural Cooperation Programme between the Cultural Ministries of Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania for 2009 – 2011 provisions developed cooperation among the Baltic states regarding the implementation of UNESCO conventions, including a specific reference to the 2005 Convention and the Exchange of information among the Baltic states about its implementation; the Cultural cooperation Programme for 2012 – 2014 is being developed and it will also contain references to UNESCO Conventions and cooperation regarding their implementation. It is planned to sign the cooperation programme with the Ministry of Azerbaijan.
Challenges identified in the implementation of this measure:
Programmes contain obligations to receive and financially and otherwise contribute to ad hoc or recurrent projects. Frequently, the exact nature of these commitments is not specified, the text limits itself to the fact of supporting or enhancing participation in, realisation of etc. a number of listed projects. One reason for the above mentioned is the budget planning system only for one year in advance.