Forum on ancient civilization to strengthen cultural, financial ties
The first Ancient Civilization Forum kicked off in Athens, Greece on Monday as countries representing early civilizations across the world aim to pool their wisdom together to address today’s problems and challenges with stronger cultural and economic ties.
The forum, a Greek initiative with China as co- organizer, is attended by delegations from 10 countries representing major ancient civilizations. Other participants include Bolivia, Egypt, India, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Mexico and Peru.
Beneath the towering Acropolis of Athens, delegations headed by foreign ministers of the 10 countries attended the two- day forum, which is in a bid to promote cultural heritage and cooperation.
The 10 countries represent more than 40 percent of the world population and are at the center of international political developments in the Americas, Europe, Asia and Africa.
In his welcoming address to the inauguration of the forum, Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos said that dialogue and coordination between civilizations could help tackle today’s challenges of war and terrorism, urging crisis- hit Europe to retrieve its lost root of civilization – peace and solidarity.
Iraqi Foreign Minister Ibrahim al- Jaafari told the forum that the cultural diversity of the world should be respected and treasured, since if all flowers were of the same color, they would not have been attractive.
The minister condemned the Islamic State ( IS) for devastating the cultural heritages in his country.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told the press at the end of Monday’s forum that three consensuses including peace, inclusiveness and cooperation have been achieved by the ministers.
At Monday’s ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the forum, the ministers stressed the common vision to utilize cultural heritage to promote friendly relations, international cooperation, peace, stability and prosperity.
Foreign ministers attending the meeting reached the consensus that the so- called clash of civilizations can be avoided through dialogue and cooperation.
Although the countries participating in the forum come from different geographical areas and cultures, they are all considered cradles of ancient cultures and are coming together to discuss issues such as the “role of culture as a source of soft power and the key tool of a modern and multidimensional foreign policy,” the Independent Balkan News Agency reported.
Another aim of the forum is to highlight the international cultural cooperation as a factor for world economic development.
In his meeting with Greek leaders and foreign ministers from other countries, the Chinese foreign minister stressed the ongoing forum derives from the same origin as the China- proposed Belt and Road Initiative in the sense that they both provide ideas and culture for the cooperation of countries across the world with emphasis on peaceful development and common prosperity.
Wang said the 10 countries convene to derive “nutrition” from their ancient values and civilizations to realize their own development, provide solutions to today’s world challenges as well as explore new development path for all human beings.
China advocates that different civilizations should understand and be tolerant of each other to promote common development, he said.
Wang called on all the countries to reject conflicts and transcend social and ideological differences and prejudices.
The senior Chinese diplomat also urged all the countries present to join hands to strengthen their cooperation, so as to achieve common prosperity and development.
The article is a commentary of the Xinhua News Agency. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn