UNESCO TO SUPPORT YUGOSLAV MEDIA LIBERALISATION DURING TRANSITION TO DEMOCRACY

Paris, November 24 (No.2000-126) - Co-operation between the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and UNESCO, notably in the media, was the focus of discussion between senior government officials and UNESCO Assistant Director-General, Henrikas Yushkiavitshus, who visited the country November 20 to 23.

“During this difficult transition period, UNESCO will do its utmost to help develop independent and pluralistic media in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, as it has done in recent years,” Mr Yushkiavitshus declared, referring both to new projects and to those already underway.

UNESCO has offered its assistance in transforming State Radio and Television, RTS, into a public service corporation and is preparing to lend support in the drafting of new media legislation.

The UNESCO project to establish a printing plant in Belgrade was favourably received by the Federal and Serb governments. The project is supported by the World Association of Newspapers and the Association of Private Media of Yugoslavia. UNESCO has raised US$3 million from the European Union, Germany, France and Denmark for the printing plant which will begin operating as soon as adequate premises are found with the assistance of the City of Belgrade.

UNESCO is furthermore prepared to help train print and electronic media personnel - journalists, management and technical staff and to provide assistance to the television programme exchange Programme Bank in Belgrade, together with the Belgrade Media Centre and the non-governmental organisation Open Society Fund while supporting local television programme production.

The Finnish government is providing support for UNESCO’s activities in Yugoslavia through the funding of a media expert who has been active in Yugoslavia since the change of regime.

Co-operation between UNESCO and Yugoslavia will also concern education. A group of UNESCO experts has carried out the assessment of the country’s basic education needs and will draft a master plan with UNICEF by early next year.

Meanwhile, Serbia’s Culture Minister, Milan Komnenic, requested the Organization’s assistance in preserving cultural heritage sites in Kosovo.

During discussions with Foreign Minister Goran Svilanovic, it was agreed that the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will take the necessary steps to join UNESCO very soon.

 

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