The subject of cultural diversity is a delicate yet complex issue which is constantly threatened by "uniformity" and "cultural chaos".

"Culture is the foundation and beginning of interaction between nations" Ahmad Masjedjamei, Iran’s Minister of Culture and Islamic Guidance told Stjepan Mesic, the Croatian President. "The initiative launched by Iran for the Dialogue among Civilizations has been in accordance with this belief," he continued. These statements were made by the minister in the Croatia where he attended the Conference for an International Cultural Policy Network held on 17-19 October 2003.

The minister’s trip was to assess the proposal of the Croat President for the holding of an exhibition dedicated to seven thousand years of Iranian art. Ethnic and cultural commonalities shared by the two nations of Iran and Croatia, has created an appropriate atmosphere for the holding of such an exhibition in Croatia. The European Union (EU), in accordance with its policies as well as through the general interest of its member states, attaches great significance to participating in Iran’s cultural programs.

For his part, the Croatian President pointed to the role of Iran’s cinema for providing a positive image of the people and culture of Iran. He also stressed the need for cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries, especially in the field of tourism, art, and Persian language study as well as university student exchange programs in the field of studying the Croatian and Persian languages.

On the sidelines of the Conference for an International Cultural Policy Network, Masjedjamei proposed the active establishment of an alliance between the three great Asian civilizations of Iran, China and India, in order to facilitate a more active presence in the resolution on "Cultural Diversity and Globalization". The current resolution on "Cultural Diversity" is said to be drafted based on the features of European cultures, and the cultural characteristics of Asian countries have been largely ignored. The alliance between Iran, India and China as three of history’s greatest civilizations can create an appropriate pivot for the greater participation of Asian countries in the network.

The Minister identified cultural plurality and diversity as the most important features of Asian civilizations and said, "The subject of cultural diversity is a delicate yet complex issue which is constantly threatened by "uniformity" and "cultural chaos". Asian countries must purse the policy of cultural diversity based on social stability.

Masjedjamei’s proposal was met with the approval of China’s Culture Minister, "Sun Jiazheng" as well as "Bahanabon Chekhila", India’s Minister of Culture and Tourism; and was quickly turned into a discussion topic for the sidelines of the Conference for an International Cultural Policy Network.

While reiterating his support for Masjedjamei’s proposal, China’s Minister of Culture stated that, "Transformations in technology, economy and the trend of globalization all call for an increase in regional exchange. Only if cultural exchange on a regional level is boosted, can we confront the trend of globalization. With consideration of the ancient history of friendship between China and Iran, Beijing welcomes the continuation of these deep-rooted ties of friendship with Iran into the current era."