The meeting, in which UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura took part, was devoted to the international aspects of Russia’ policies concerning culture and the arts.
President Putin considers the efforts of the international community regarding the preservation of the world’s cultural heritage as insufficient. This is evidenced by such events as the destruction of the Buddha statue in Afghanistan and the looting of Baghdad’s museums.
The president declared Russia’s readiness for cooperation with UNESCO and other international bodies in preserving historical monuments as well as the other priorities including the development of tourism and intangible culture. In this connection the president noted the importance of the recently adopted UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage and the World Folklore Festival to be held in Russia under the auspices of UNESCO in 2005.