On 21 December 2010, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing the terms and conditions for full participation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the Culture Programme 2007-2013 was signed by Commission's Director General for Education and Culture, Mr Jan Truszczyński, and Bosnia-Herzegovina's Minister of Civil affairs, Mr Nović Sredoje. From 2011 onwards European operators can look forward to cooperating with Bosnia-Herzegovinan partners, whose rich cultural heritage ensures ample opportunities for fruitful projects. This agreement is an important step in Bosnia and Herzegovina’s integration into Europe’s cultural diversity and in the pre-accession process for European Union membership. “I am pleased to see that with Bosnia and Herzegovina’s we have another Western Balkan country on board to participate in the Culture Programme”, said Director General for Education, Training, Culture and Youth Truszczyński. “European integration is not merely a political construct. It is a collective – of institutions, ideas, customs, languages, memories and projects for the future – which draws Europeans together. Intercultural dialogue is one of the long-term priorities of EU policy: to counter any tendency to retreat; to encourage positive contact between people; to strengthen fragile communities and individuals.” Bosnia and Herzegovina becomes the fifth country from the Western Balkans to participate in the Culture Programme, following Croatia (joined in 2007), Serbia (in 2008), Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (in 2008) and Montenegro (in 2009). Related links: • Call for proposals under the Culture Programme in 2011 • Relations between the EU and Bosnia and Herzegovina