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I think it is still early to be talking about support from different countries, because there is still a lot of time until the elections, so support is not my main goal here – to ask and to insist. I presented some of my views, I expressed hope that in the future with Greece we will have a tighter cooperation in UNESCO, independently of what happens on the elections. Even though I have to say I am very optimistic about possibility of being chosen as a General Director of UNESCO. In any case, I accept the decision of the Bulgarian government with great responsibility - I would say a national feeling of responsibility - because I know that the campaign is very important for Bulgaria. I am receiving many letters and calls from people who are wishing me luck and are asking what they can do to help. Those are mayors, municipal managers, non-governmental organizations; I won’t even mention writers, painters and intellectuals. So I realize the responsibility. I believe I have a real chance – I am very optimistic and positive and with this state of mind I came to Greece.

Greece also has some expectation from UNESCO related to the campaign for the return of the Parthenon marbles. What is your opinion and what commitments can you take regarding this subject?

This is a very important issue for Greece, for its cultural heritage and its preservation. UNESCO is definitely playing a very positive role as a mediator. This issue is discussed in the Committee for illegally taken cultural monuments. There is even a resolution, which was accepted during the last session of the committee on May 11-13 in Paris. Gladly welcomed is the cooperation between the Greek and British ministries of culture. The role of UNESCO General Director is encouraged. I believe that Greece, especially after building the New Museum, has the full right of wanting those marbles to be returned. We talked about this yesterday. I forgot to mention that I also had a meeting with the Secretary General of the Ministry of Culture. According to me UNESCO needs to encourage and to support this dual-sided dialogue between Greece and Britain, in order to find a balance and a more acceptable solution. I am very sympathetic towards Greece about this subject, about their ambitions and desires. It is completely understandable.

What else can UNESCO do to preserve the Bulgarian cultural monuments?

I believe that Bulgaria has more things to include in the world cultural heritage list. When it comes to this Convention, I have talked to the Ministry of Culture and to some historians. I believe that it is realistic to “include” the Thracian Tomb of Kazanlak as a cultural monument, together with some newly found tombs like Alexandrovo, Golyama Kosmatka Mound and some other and to be presented as a series of monuments of culture – this is a new trend in the cultural heritage committee. We could call it the “Valley of the Kings”. We could also include some of the preserved churches in Tarnovo like “Birth of Christ,” the “Bulgarian Sistine Chapel” in Arbanasi and some other preserved medieval churches, because Bulgaria does not have only Thracian art, it also has well preserved medieval art like the Rila Monastery.

Let us not forget the nonmaterial heritage convention. In it Bulgaria is one of the first countries to participate. The convention is connected to tradition, folklore and everything we have as national identity. As masterpiece we managed to include there the Bistritza Folk Ensemble, because of the way they sing. But I believe we have more things to show as world monuments of nonmaterial heritage.