EU helps to restore monuments of culture

The European Union will spend about EUR 50mn for the restoration of monuments and cultural locations in the Western Balkans. The assets have been set aside according to the EU’s plan for improving the integration of the region, and will be distributed from 2008 to 2010, according to the European Voice internet portal. EU helps to restore monuments of culture The funds will be used for the restoration of archeological sites, churches and mosques in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania and Croatia. One of the best-known buildings is the church of St. Sophia in Sofia, the ruins of Apollonia in Albania and the ancient Roman city of Sisija in Croatia, the European Voice stated. Commissioner responsible for education, training, culture and multilingualism, Jan Figel, said that investment in the cultural projects in the region will help bridge the different ethnic and religious communities. The European Commission stated that it will finance one restoration project for each Balkan country. The rest of the projects will be financed by the national governments and private investors. The commission hopes that the 26 projects will "help bring reconciliation, cultural diversity and inter-cultural dialogue", but at the same time, it added that the choices were also made by looking at the potential for attracting investors and improving tourist infrastructures.

EU helps to restore monuments of culture

The funds will be used for the restoration of archeological sites, churches and mosques in Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Serbia, Montenegro, Romania and Croatia.

One of the best-known buildings is the church of St. Sophia in Sofia, the ruins of Apollonia in Albania and the ancient Roman city of Sisija in Croatia, the European Voice stated.

Commissioner responsible for education, training, culture and multilingualism, Jan Figel, said that investment in the cultural projects in the region will help bridge the different ethnic and religious communities.

The European Commission stated that it will finance one restoration project for each Balkan country.

The rest of the projects will be financed by the national governments and private investors.

The commission hopes that the 26 projects will "help bring reconciliation, cultural diversity and inter-cultural dialogue", but at the same time, it added that the choices were also made by looking at the potential for attracting investors and improving tourist infrastructures.