Latvia and Israel sign intergovernmental program for cooperation in education, science, culture and sports

RIGA - Latvia and Israel have signed an intergovernmental cooperation program in the fields of education, science, culture and sports, Culture Ministry spokeswoman Lita Kokale told LETA.

On Monday, a meeting of the Latvian-Israeli Joint Intergovernmental Committee for Education, Culture and Science Cooperation was held, which was followed by the signing of the cooperation program for 2023-2026.

The program aims to promote bilateral cooperation by contributing to the development of relations between the two countries and raising awareness of the history and culture of their peoples, especially among young people. In the field of education, the program aims to promote exchange of information and cooperation between educational institutions of the two countries on all levels, including the development of a sense of innovation and creativity among teachers and students. 

The program aims to promote direct cooperation between scientific and research institutions in both countries. In the field of culture, it is intended to continue to promote direct cooperation between cultural institutions and organizations in both countries, encouraging exchanges of music, theatre, visual arts, design, dance and other artistic groups or individuals with a view to enriching the cultural space of both countries. The program also outlines the interest of both countries in exploring the possibility of concluding a joint agreement to promote further co-production of Latvian and Israeli films.

Zane Vagnere, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Culture and head of the group of Latvian representatives to the intergovernmental committee, signed the program on behalf of Latvia, and Nurita Tinari, Head of the Cultural Diplomacy Bureau of the Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs, signed the document on behalf of Israel.

This year Israel celebrates its 75th anniversary, and the Israeli theatre Gesher is these days giving guest performances at the Daile Theatre in Riga.