A Memoranda of Understanding was signed on 20 December 2011 by the Director General for DG Education and Culture, Mr Jan Truszczynski, and Albania's Ambassador to the EU, Mrs Mimoza Halimi, clearing the way for Albania to fully benefit from cultural cooperation opportunities in the framework of the Culture Programme. From 2012 onwards European operators can look forward to cooperating with Albanian partners, whose rich cultural heritage provides good potential for fruitful projects. Albania becomes the sixth country from the Balkans to participate in the programme, preceded by Croatia (who joined in 2007), FYROM (in 2008), Serbia (in 2008), Montenegro (in 2010) and Bosnia-Herzegovina (in 2011). Read more about the Culture Programme. (Source: Website DG Education & Culture)