PARIS -- The French Minister of Culture and Communications Catherine Trautmann and Inter-American Development Bank President Enrique V. Iglesias today signed an agreement to cooperate in restoring and revitalizing historic sites and their surrounding urban areas in Latin America and the Caribbean.
During the ceremony Iglesias was awarded a decoration, Commandeur dans l´Ordre des Arts et Lettres.
The agreement emphasizes the close ties between the Bank and France and provides that France will support the IDB in helping countries of the region in the design and planning of policies to maintain historic sites and protect monuments, public spaces, and the environment, as well as rehabilitate housing for the population living near the sites.
In some cases the rehabilitation and preservation effort can serve to also promote related activities in both the public and private sectors, such as museums and hotels.
France may offer technical assistance by means of long- and short-term missions of experts, depending on the requirements of the beneficiary countries, as well as training programs and seminars for Latin American officials and technicians.
A mixed commission, in conjunction with the representative of France to the IDB, will coordinate the cooperation effort and encourage the development of decentralized support activities with the jurisdictions of Latin America that are host to the historic sites.