The minister made the statement at the end of the sixth conference of the Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe - enhancing culture for sustainable development, which had been held in Rijeka, the city which today became the European Capital of Culture.
Ministers and high officials of culture ministries of member states adopted a joint Declaration at the conference, and Croatia handed over the presidency to Greece.
Culture Minister Obuljen Korzinek said that they had discussed the issues of intercultural cooperation and dialogue, as well as the need for constant investment in fostering direct links between artists, cultural workers, organisations and institutions in the region.
"Our presidency of the Council of Ministers of South-East Europe coincides with Croatia's presidency of the Council of the EU, and one of the topics that will be a priority of our presidency is mobility of artists. In June a conference will be held in Rijeka on that topic," said the Croatian minister.
She said that she was pleased that Greece was assuming presidency of the Council of Ministers and that the country had chosen as the theme of its presidency the issue of risk to cultural heritage, especially the issue of negative impact of climate change on the preservation of cultural heritage.
"The risk to cultural heritage that comes with climate change and other disasters is enormous", Obuljen Korzinek said.
Adapting cultural heritage to match the demands for reducing greenhouse gas emission is extremely important, she underscored.
"In Croatia we have already taken steps and we are sending the message that we will be actively working on protecting and preserving cultural heritage so that we adapt the valuable heritage to today's standards and reduce greenhouse gas emission," she said.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said that culture was considered to be a major factor in sustainable development and social cohesion. She also underscored that climate change was affecting cultural heritage.
She said that during Greece's presidency a cultural cooperation fund would be created and strengthened for the countries of South-East Europe and that it would transparently match the real needs of artists and cultural professionals.
Minister Mendoni wished all the best to Rijeka and pointed out that next year the Greek city of Eleusis would carry the title of the European Capital of Culture and that it would deal with issues of European reality and sustainable future, such as transition.
The ministerial conference of the Council, held under the rotating presidency of Croatia, was attended by culture ministers and high officials of member states of the Council: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, Greece, Croatia, Moldova, Romania, North Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia and Turkey, as well as by representatives from Austria, Italy, the European Commission, the Council of Europe and UNESCO as observers.
The Council of Ministers of Culture of South East Europe is an initiative established in 2005.