Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam have resolved to strengthen cultural connectively between their countries, building on historic friendships and shared heritages to exchange knowledge and boost development. The ministers of information and culture of new Asean member nations met last week at the Ministerial Round-Table Meeting Initiative on Culture Connectively in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar from January 19-24. The ministers agreed on five initiatives which aim to organize, initiate and sustain cultural connectively amongst the four countries, which share many cultural characteristics. The initiatives include strengthening unity, building friendship and fostering neighbourly cooperation between the four nations; promoting cultural exchange programmes sharing expertise on cultural conservation and preservation. This will enable cooperation on cultural activities such as archaeological excavations, preservation and conservation, and the exchange of traditional arts, as well as deepening the historical friendship between the peoples of these countries. One further aim is to share knowledge and experience to protect cultural artefacts from illegal transfer and trafficking.
Source: Vientiane Times
