CRO CULTURE MINISTER ON COOPERATION AGREEMENT WITH IRAN

ZAGREB, Oct 28 (Hina) - The Croatian-Iranian agreement on cooperation in culture, science, and education is greatly significant for both countries, Croatian Culture Minister Bozo Biskupic said in Zagreb on Wednesday. Biskupic spoke to reporters after returning from a visit to Iran, where he signed the three-year agreement with his Iranian counterpart Ayatollah Mohadzerani. Culture must contribute to stronger connections and pave the way for stronger and better economic relations between Croatia and Iran, said the Croatian minister. While in Iran, Biskupic visited the most renowned cultural and religious centres and, he pointed out, realised that Iranian culture is one of high artistic achievements. As part of the cooperation agreement, Iran will also support Croatia's motion to the UNESCO to hold next year a conference on violence in culture in the southern Croatian port of Dubrovnik, as a continuation of this year's UNESCO conference in Ottawa. The agreement will also be the basis for exchanges in literature, music, film, and contemporary arts, said Biskupic, adding next month Teheran will host an exhibition of 33 contemporary Croatian graphic artists. A Croatian Film Week is expected to be organised within three years. Also suggested was a selection of Croatian poetry to be translated into Iranian. The Iranian Culture Minister was invited to attend next summer's Dubrovnik culture festival, while Iran's leading experts for the restoration of cultural heritage will also visit Croatia. Biskupic announced that next year's 600th birth anniversary of Hafiz, the greatest Persian poet, would be celebrated, among elsewhere in the world, with an Iranian poetry recital at the Dubrovnik festival. (hina) ha