Croatian Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek on Wednesday thanked Italian conservators who helped to evacuate the cultural heritage from earthquake-hit parts in Croatia and agreed the continuation of cooperation with the blue helmets of culture in restoration and reconstruction.

The minister met with Italian Ambassador Pierfrancesco Sacco, three Italian cultural heritage protection experts who are members of the blue helmets of culture, and a restorer from the Italian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Ministry.

The members of the blue helmets of culture were sent to Croatia by Italian Cultural Heritage and Tourism Minister Dario Franceschini, who already on 29 December, the day of the earthquake in Sisak-Moslavina County, offered the help of experts for the evacuation and protection of the cultural heritage.

Obuljen Koržinek thanked the Italian experts for the evacuation of several valuable collections, the cooperation, and the unselfish exchange of knowledge and experiences with Croatian conservators, her ministry said in a press release.

Participants in the meeting agreed the continuation of cooperation in securing and restoring the damaged cultural heritage.