Greece and Turkey signed a cooperation protocol in Istanbul, in order to combat the illegal trafficking of works of art and cultural artifacts.The protocol was signed by visiting Greek Culture Minister Pavlos Geroulanos and his Turkish counterpart Ertugrul Gunay during a brief ceremony at the Ciragan Palace.
“This is the first agreement signed after the 20 agreements signed in Athens, and it retains particular significance and symbolism because it is the first to deal with culture and the two countries’ relations and possible cooperation to promote culture and its protection,” Geroulanos said. Gunay expressed a hope that all of the illegally trafficked artifacts and works of art will be returned.
Earlier, the Greek minister was received at the Ecumenical Patriarchate by Patriarch Bartholomew.
In Istanbul, is also G. Papandreou for the Summit Meeting of the member- states of inter-Balkan Cooperation. The Prime Minister, in his speech, sent a message to the Turkish government, underlying that “a lot of efforts are required as well as the good neighbouring relations”. He said that for the european accession of Turkey, the most important things are the combating of the corruption and the organized crime and of course a welfare state.
He also expressed the Greek support and willingness to cooperate with the Turkish government.
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