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Starting on 1 January 2022, the Czech Republic has been granted Observer status with the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA). On 4 October 2021, the Deputy Minister of Culture of the Czech Republic, Ms. Petra SMOLIKOVA, requested the status with the EPA.

Pursuant to article 2.3 of the Committee of Ministers Resolution CM/Res(2013)66 confirming the establishment of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes, the Governing Board granted this status to the Czech Republic for a period of one year.

The EPA counts today 35 Member States, 1 Observer State and 45 certified Cultural Routes. 

At present, there are 10 Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe with network members in the Country: European Mozart Ways, European Route of Jewish Heritage, European Route of Cistercian Abbeys, European Route of Historic Thermal Towns, Destination Napoleon, European Route of Industrial Heritage, Iron Curtain Trail, Liberation Route Europe, Routes of Reformation and Cyril and Methodius Route.

The Czech Republic offers great potential for the further development of other certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

The Czech Republic ratified the Council of Europe’s European Cultural Convention in 1993.