Protection of the continent’s identity heritage, support of culture and different forms of artistic expression. In this period, the Council of Europe affirms its role in these areas. At the Palais de l’Europe in Strasbourg, a release published today summarised the results of a meeting of the EU Commission about the reconstruction of the Orthodox religious sites of Kosovo (Ric), held in the last few days in Pristina. The CoE Commission "will have to adopt, at its official meeting next May, a work schedule for the reconstruction of Orthodox churches in Serbia, especially in the regions of Pristina and Prizen". Established by the Council of Europe in conjunction with the EU Commission, this body "supervises the process of restoration of the religious sites that have been damaged or destroyed during the 2004 riots" in the Balkan country. Quite a different success is that of the art films, also funded by the CoE. Two productions sponsored by Eurimages (fund of the Council of Europe in support of European cinema) have actually been selected for the official contest at the 59th Cannes Film Festival, due next month. The selected films are: "La raison du plus faible" by Lucas Belvaux, a French-Belgian co-production; "Iklimer", by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, a cooperation between Turkey and France.
