From 24-26 February 2021, the Bureau of the Governing Board of the Enlarged Partial Agreement on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe (EPA) held its meeting at the Council of Europe headquarters in Strasbourg and online.

Mrs Brigitta RINGBECK, Representative of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Chair of the EPA chaired the Meeting. Mrs. Urszula ŚLĄZAK, EPA Representative from POLAND; Mrs. Margarita LIOULIA, EPA Representative from GREECE; Mr. Julien VUILLEUMIER, EPA Representative from SWITZERLAND and Christian BIEVER, President of the European Institute of Cultural Routes (EICR, Luxembourg), took part in the meeting.

The meeting was opened by Mr. Roberto OLLA, Head of the Culture, Nature and Heritage Department of the Council of Europe Secretariat. Mr. Stefano DOMINIONI, EPA Executive Secretary, represented the EPA Secretariat.

In preparation for the EPA Governing Board meeting on 28-29 April 2021, which will take place under the auspices of the German Chairmanship of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe, Bureau members gathered to discuss the evaluation cycle 2020-2021 for the regular 3-year evaluation of 3 certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe and the evaluation of 13 candidates for certification.

The 3 certified Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe under regular 3-year evaluation (2020-2021 cycle) are:

1. Huguenot and Waldensian Trail
2. European Route of Megalithic Culture
3. European Mozart Ways

13 Candidates networks are under evaluation for certification:

1. Aeneas Route
2. Alvar Aalto Route – 20th Century Architecture and Design
3. The Castle Road – Habsburg’s Southeastern Bulwark
4. Cyril and Methodius Route
5. The European Route d'Artagnan
6. FORTE CULTURA – Culture Route of Fortified Monuments
7. Iron Age Danube Route
8. Mary's Route
9. Places of Peace – The European Peace Heritage Route
10. Saint Francis' Ways
11. European Route of Templar Heritage
12. Via Eurasia
13. Via Molina - The European Mill Route

The meeting was also the opportunity to discuss the 10th Annual Advisory Forum on Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe, that will take place in Kutaisi (Georgia) on 29 September - 1 October 2021, and the other activities of the year.