Austrian parliament ratifies agreement on cultural cooperation with Ukraine
Such a decision was taken unanimously during a session of the lower house of parliament in Vienna on Wednesday, July 3, according to Ukrinform's correspondent in Austria.
"Ukraine is an important part of our policy on stability and good neighborliness. We are doing this not only in the Western Balkans, but also as part of the Eastern Partnership. And cooperation with Ukraine as the largest country [in Europe] is very important here. At the same time, a significant instrument is not only economic cooperation but also cooperation in the field of education, science and culture - areas where the so-called soft power can be applied. The proposed agreement for the first time defines the legal framework for cooperation in these areas," Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Alexander Schallenberg said before the vote in parliament.
He noted the symbolism of the ratification process as 2019 is the year of Ukrainian-Austrian culture.
Ukraine's Ambassador to Austria Oleksandr Shcherba told Ukrinform that the agreement would help significantly intensify Ukrainian-Austrian cultural cooperation and use new tools and opportunities.
"This agreement was necessary to intensify work in the area that is fundamentally important to Ukrainian-Austrian relations, namely education, science and culture. These areas have recently been developing most actively," Shcherba said.
According to the ambassador, the Austrian side is interested in working more actively with Ukrainian regions, and this agreement will give them such an opportunity. On the other hand, the document will allow the Ukrainian side to expand a range of programs that are now being implemented.
The Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, ratified the agreement in December 2018. It will come into force after the Austrian side notifies Ukraine about the completion of all legal ratification procedures.
The agreement between the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine and the Government of Austria on cooperation in the field of education, science and culture was signed in Kyiv on March 14, 2018, by Foreign Ministers Pavlo Klimkin and Karin Kneissl in the presence of the presidents of Ukraine and Austria.
The intergovernmental agreement is a framework document that determines the agreed areas and forms of cooperation in the spheres of education, science and culture. In particular, it concerns cooperation in the spheres of teaching and research between higher educational establishments and other scientific institutions, exchanges of students and teachers.
The document provides for the parties' support for the organization of cultural events such as tours, exhibitions, concerts, festivals, theatrical performances, and other art events. Contacts between museum institutions and libraries will also be encouraged.
A mixed commission composed of representatives of the respective authorities of both parties is to be set up to implement the clauses of the agreement. Commission meetings should be held every four years. The tasks of the commission are to assess the implementation of agreements and concrete projects and put forward proposals for further cooperation, including organizational and financial issues.
The agreement also contains clauses for supporting the activities of the Ukrainian Institute in Austria.
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