Greece international cultural heritage cooperation

Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni has engaged in high-level discussions with international organizations and foreign governments to expand cooperation regarding cultural heritage.

In discussions with UNESCO, the focus centered on Greece providing technical expertise to African nations in areas such as museology, museum management, and the protection of heritage during public works. Greece also shared updates on upcoming World Heritage List submissions, including the archaeological site of Nicopolis and the Cyclades cheesemaking tradition.

Following these talks, Minister Mendoni met with U.S. Under Secretary of State for Cultural Affairs Catherine Dillon to address the protection of cultural heritage. This bilateral dialogue emphasized the repatriation of ancient Greek artifacts and the combatting of illicit trafficking. Discussions also included the potential renewal of a Memorandum of Understanding to impose import restrictions on specific Greek archaeological materials and the expansion of Greek cultural presence in the United States through museum collaborations and educational programs.