The draft-National Strategy on Culture Development in Republic of Macedonia 2012-2017 will be put for public debate on October 18, followed by its adoption by the Government and submission for Parliament approval.

The draft-National Strategy was in the focus of Monday's meeting between Culture Minister Elizabeta Kanceska-Milevska and Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MANU) President Vlado Kambovski, whereas the Culture Council, the Minister's advisory body, will also tackle the document later in the day.

Minister Kanceska-Milevska said after the meeting with MANU President Kambovski that the strategic document is operational, including an action plan with clearly defined guidelines for development of all culture fields over the next five years.

"The new strategy for culture development is not a declarative, but operational act that detects state of culture in the country, stipulating attainable solutions that contribute to the development of culture and its self-sustainability. Such a document is developed in Macedonia for the first time, based on professional and academic knowledge and Parliament approval", said Kanceska-Milevska.

The document's development involved many experts from Macedonia and abroad. The draft was sent to 150 relevant culture entities, which have responded with suggestions and remarks that are now integrated in the strategy.

Academic Kambovski stressed the partnership in the document's development.

"This document will clearly define the relationship between the state and civil sector, in line with European requirements. It was developed in a transparent way since the very beginning, taking into account all remarks and suggestions by MANU. I expect this mutual respect and cooperation to resume up to the document's adoption", added Kambovski.

MANU's remarks in the strategy referred to issues of multiculturalism and interculturalism, state of Macedonian language and culture, mutual influence and correlation with other cultures in the area, their protection and sustainable development.

The strategy's priorities include modernization of the Macedonian literary language orthography, development of comprehensive grammar, etymological dictionary etc.