FRENCH MINISTER OF CULTURE AZOULAY MEETS ITALIAN COUNTERPART DARIO FRANCESCHINI

USPA NEWS - Audrey Azoulay, Minister of Culture and Communication, met his Italian counterpart Dario Franceschini, Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, August 31, 2016 in Italy. They discussed their ambitions for wealth creation and, considering the importance of the European project.

Audrey Azoulay, Minister of Culture and Communication, met his Italian counterpart Dario Franceschini, Minister of Cultural Heritage and Activities and Tourism, August 31, 2016 in Italy. They discussed their ambitions for wealth creation and, considering the importance of the European project, designed as a "Common House" that culture contributes to build. The Minister expressed her all the pain and compassion of France after the earthquake that hit the heart of Italy on August 24, killing hundreds of people and causing severe damage. Faced with this national tragedy, it reaffirmed, on behalf of the French Government, the full solidarity of France with its neighbor and Italian friend. She also assured of French aid and the necessary support in this terrible ordeal. This meeting was also an opportunity for the two ministers to greet the intensity of the bilateral cultural cooperation between France and Italy. They discussed their ambitions for wealth creation and, considering the importance of the European project, designed as a "Common House" that culture contributes to build. They are convinced of the need for all young Europeans to greater access to culture. This meeting allowed ministers to state their common position on many European issues such as the fundamental role of copyright in supporting innovation, creativity and promotion of cultural diversity. They will continue to bring together these matters to the European Commission. They also stressed the importance of strengthening the fight against the illicit trade of cultural property internationally. They also discussed the international conference on the protection of endangered heritage to be held in December in Abu Dhabi, on the initiative of France and the UAE in connection with UNESCO.--------------------------------------------------------------------------- On the sidelines of the meeting, the French Minister will attend tonight, alongside his counterpart at the opening ceremony of the 73rd edition of the Venice Film Festival, grand international meeting of film, in which a tribute will delivered to earthquake victims. The Minister will also visit tomorrow at the 15th Venice Architecture Biennale. Projects emphasizing the "ordinary" architecture, presented to the French Pavilion is a perfect illustration of the will to strengthen the place of architecture in the French daily, ambition again recently confirmed in the Law on Freedom creation, architecture and heritage enacted in July.