Vice President Iliana Iotova and visiting UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture Ernesto Ottone talked about the power of culture and education in times of crises. They highlighted UNESCO's growing role for education, science and culture in an increasingly divided and dangerous world. Vice President Iotova shared her conviction in the power of cultural diplomacy. The two concurred on the conflict-preventative role of education and culture. Crises are reproduced when culture and education are absent, Iliana Iotova stressed.

Ernesto Ottone pointed to the active cooperation between UNESCO and Bulgaria, describing this country as a strategic actor in the organisation. He underlined Bulgaria's great contribution to the preservation of tangible and intangible cultural heritage.

The Assistant Director-General of UNESCO is in Bulgaria at the invitation of the Minister of Culture Nayden Todorov. He will visit the town of Sozopol and the island of SS Kirik and Yulita, where he will get acquainted with the project for the establishment of an Arts Centre. Vice President Iotova is part of the Initiative Committee for the construction of the centre. This will be a multifunctional centre; it will develop tourism, culture, education. SS Kirik and Yulita has a very ancient history, its rich finds will attract research interest. The project will be of great importance not only for Bulgaria, but also for the whole of Europe, the Vice President said, noting the partnership with France and the Declaration of Intent signed between the Bulgarian and the French governments for the project to establish the centre. The project has broad institutional and public support.