Tulcea, Sep 9 /Agerpres/ – The authorities of Tulcea county are taking steps for the north-eastern Dobrogea to become a UNESCO Global Geopark, a territory of sustainable development whose values and achievements are recognized by the international organization through the relevant program, the UNESCO Global Geopark status of the Land of Buzau being in the revalidation process.

The secretary general of National Commission of Romania for UNESCO, Madlen Serban,

told AGERPRES that the approach to obtain UNESCO Global Geopark status is based on the uniqueness of the area in terms of geological value.

“These mountains are older than the Carpathian Mountains, they are unique geological vestiges on this planet. (…) Discussions will continue with the newly elected, the County Council is aware of this issue. We will prepare a file that will meet all national agreements, and then it will be submitted, we think it will take a few years, to be listed in the World Heritage List,” mentioned Madlen Serban.

She emphasized that the Global Geopark status will not entail any restrictions for the communities located on its territory.

“For the local communities on the Geopark grounds, this status means a brand, it means that you are recognized internationally, that you can enter this international circuit of values that are not confirmed by family friends, but by extremely rigorous international experts, because, let’s not forget, the competition is great at world level,” said the secretary general of the National Commission of Romania for UNESCO.

Romania currently has two geoparks, Tara Hategului and Tinutul Buzaului, the last mentioned having the file under revalidation process.

At the end of last week, secretary general of National Commission of Romania for UNESCO Madlen Serban participated in Tulcea, at the National Conference of Local Gastronomic Points organized within the Ivan Patzaichin Festival, the event taking place under the patronage of the National Commission of Romania for UNESCO.