Minister of Culture Ghattas Khoury opened on Saturday at UNESCO Palace the Consultation Conference to launch the "Five- Year Plan of Cultural Development in Lebanon" in which he called for a cultural vision that gives Lebanon back its distinguished position on the Arab and International map. 
Minister of Information Melhem Riachi, Minister of Administrative Development Inaya Ezzeddine, Minister of Tourism Avedis Kidanian and Representatives of the Ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Education and Transportation and Public Works attended the Conference. 
Khoury said that the target of the plan is to be a gate to cultural vision that allows Lebanon to resume its distinguished position on the International and Arab Cultural Map and regain its status as the Arab Library, pen and podium as well as the land of intellectual, artistic, scientific, musical and literary creativity of the Lebanese youth as well as anyone who requests cultural asylum in this country. 
"I hope to make this Consultation conference a podium for serious and productive discussions and exchanging ideas and suggestions as well as a place that reflects the various Lebanese cultural colors to reach practical recommendations that can be achieved," Khoury said, adding that the conference is the first step in a foundation cultural workshop which the ministry will announce soon from the Grand Serail to confirm the participation of all concerned official parties. 
In turn, Administrative Development Minister Inaya Ezzeddine described culture as a reflection of the collective and individual methodology of thinking, concepts and behavior. 
Ezzeddine pointed out that they are working on projects to fight corruption, achieve E-government and strengthen human resources despite some difficulties due to some observed concepts. 
Minister of Information Melhem Riachi also made a speech in which he pointed to the significant "connection between media and culture as media is the publisher of cultures." 
Riachi stressed that culture needs media as much as media needs culture, underscoring the role of media in accompanying the culture Minister's plan. 
However; the minister sorrowfully pointed to the insignificant pieces of news which the media sometimes publish, saying that "some people use the media communication outlets to provoke hatred." 
The Minister hoped the Five-Year Plan would inoculate connection between culture and media and vice versa. 

Source: NNA