Finland continues support for free and independent media in the Former Yugoslavia

On 14 February 2002, Finland and Unesco signed an agreement confirming Finland's continuous support to Unesco in developing free and independent media in the Former Yugoslavia during the forthcoming six months. Special attention will be given to developing distribution, a programme bank and to the establishment of printing facilities for the independent press in Serbia. Journalist Irmeli Seipäjärvi, whose assignment began on 9 February 2001, will continue as the communication expert on the project.

Finland has supported the development of the communication system in the Former Yugoslavia since 1996. This has proved to be useful both for Unesco as well as for the development of free and independent media in the Former Yugoslavia. The communication expert's area of responsibility has been extended to cover the whole area of Former Yugoslavia. Serbia, particularly, is of interest as it has opened up for international organisations. The current activities share the aims of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, although there is no officially assigned role for Unesco to implement it. Therefore, the continuation to finance the project through Unesco and through the crisis management funds of the Finnish Ministry for Foreign Affairs is considered well-founded. Unesco cooperation complements also Finland's bilateral projects in the Former Yugoslavia.


For more information: Liisa Valjento, Counsellor, tel. +358 9 1341 5282