Ministry of Culture, Monuments Protection and Sport of Georgia presented five year operational plan at Tbilisi Zakaria Paliashvili Opera and Ballet State Academic Theater. President Mikheil Saakashvili attended the presentation. Minister Goka Gabashvili summarized the Ministry's achievements of the year and talked about the future plans adding that the reforms in the cultural sphere will continue until 2009.

President Saakashvili positively reflected on the operation of the Ministry saying that the process of cultural revival had been launched in Georgia.

"The cultural function of Georgia, which it had for hundreds of years, has overgrown into political and historic mission. Nowadays Georgia performs this mission both in post-Soviet space and in the entire world," the President said adding that the culture should awaken in the regions as well.

President Saakashvili talked about increasing the financing of cultural and sport spheres adding "this year one million lari has been allocated for the restoration of the cultural monuments. However in order to finish the restoration of the monuments, there is a need of one hundred times more the amount given," the President said and promised that State Academy of Art, the Conservatoire, the School of Choreography etc. will soon be reconstructed.

Communications Office
of the President of Georgia