Paris, January 15 (No.2001-03) - UNESCO Director-General Koďchiro Matsuura praised the “excellent collaboration” between UNESCO and the Republic of Georgia as he opened an exhibition of contemporary Georgian painters, 21 Artists for the 21st Century at Organization Headquarters.

Mr Matsuura spoke of the regional Caucasus project initiated by President Edward Shevardnadze. The project, which includes Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan, “aims to establish a climate of political reconciliation and good relations between these States and to open new avenues of co-operation between this area of the Caucasus and UNESCO”. He also spoke of the establishment of a network of educational institutes and science academies in the three countries as well as “other instances of co-operation concerning heritage and biosphere reserves.”

“The Summit of the three Heads of State of the Caucasus, which President Shevardnadze wishes to be held under the aegis of UNESCO at the end of this year or early next year, should enable us to fine-tune this co-operation and consider ways to reinforce it”, Mr Matsuura added.

The Director-General also recalled his visit to Georgia: “I was able to observe the extent to which President Edward Shevardnadze’s resolute commitment is enabling the country, despite the political and economic difficulties it is encountering during the present period of transition, to progress towards constructing a modern and democratic society.”

Georgia’s Permanent Delegate to UNESCO and Ambassador to France, Gotcha Tchogovadze, thanked UNESCO for hosting the exhibition and declared that it “bears witness to the interest of Georgian artists in spiritual matters, and their commitment in favour of tolerance and the humanistic values embodied by UNESCO.”

The Ambassador spoke of the “distinct aesthetic style of Georgian art compared to the art of Western Europe” and said he hoped the exhibition would serve as a bridge for dialogue between artists.

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The exhibition is taking place at UNESCO Headquarters

(Salle Miro) until January 26.