Europa Nostra, The European Investment Bank and The Council of Europe Development Bank support the heritage of Rosia Montana
By the end of the year, a plan will be designed in order to rescue the heritage of Rosia Montana and ensure the social and economic development of the community.
Today, June 13th, 2013 a joint press conference was held by the Pro Patrimonio Foundation, the Association ARA - Architecture. Restoration. Archaeology, Alburnus Maior Association, the Unitarian Parish of Rosia Montana, ICOMOS Romania and the Order of Architects of Romania who presented the significance and consequences to be read in the nominalization of Rosia Montana in the new European heritage salvation programme entitled "7 Most Endangered". The nominalization was announced by Europa Nostra yesterday at the European Parliament office in Athens.
The exceptional importance of cultural and natural heritage and the serious danger that threatens the site recommended its enrolment in this program. There will be a joint mission of the three organizations that initiated the program "7 Most Endangered" - Europa Nostra, the European Investment Bank and the Council of Europe Development Bank - which will analyse the situation of the site. An initial rescue plan with actions and deadlines will be proposed publicly on December 5th 2013 at the European Parliament.
The application file containing the rationale of the common nomination submitted by the signatory organisations, acknowledged by Europa Nostra and the partner banks by the inclusion in the list of 7 monuments, contains an action plan structured on 10 distinct directions with corresponding concrete projects. The plan aims to contribute efficiently to the preservation of the cultural heritage of the site by research and documentation, direct conservation and enhancement. The planned actions and the involvement of the local community will generate a wide impact both in the professional milieu and the general public, at local, national and international level. The plan will contribute to maintain and improve community incomes, whilst at the same time protecting internationally important biodiversity and unique high nature value that have supported the traditional communities.
We wish to acknowledge the importance of the inscription of Rosia Montana in the "7 Most Endangered" programme bringing a rebalance of the situation of cultural and natural heritage, ignored by Romanian authorities for too long and now brought to the centre of European debate. We expect the Romanian State to abandon the isolation which it chose in relation to the problem of Rosia Montana's heritage and to provide a honourable answer to this European plea. It is high time that a coherent rescue plan be drawn, to redirect the local development policy from the monoindustrial model - proved bankrupt - toward a diversified vision, a plan which should be contributed not only by local community and civil society, but also by our authorities.