Nicosia: The need to tackle illicit culture property trafficking was highlighted by a two-day International Symposium entitled 'Cultural Property Protection as an enabler for cooperation in Europe, the Mediterranean and the Gulf region', which began on Monday at A.G. Leventis Gallery, in Nicosia. The Symposium is under the auspices of the Cyprus Presidency of the Council of the EU.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Deputy Minister of Culture, Vassiliki Kassianidou, emphasized the shared responsibility of protecting cultural property, noting the cooperation required at national and international levels. Kassianidou highlighted the enduring impact of looting in regions like the Mediterranean, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, particularly after armed conflicts. The ongoing conflict involving US-Israeli military strikes against Iran has also threatened cultural heritage in the Gulf Arab states.
Kassianidou underscored the historical devastation faced by Cyprus, particularly since the 1974 Turkish military invasion, which led to the occupation of a significant portion of the island. She lamented the destruction and misuse of religious monuments and the ongoing looting and illegal export of cultural heritage from areas outside the Republic of Cyprus's control.
The symposium also addressed the economic motivations behind cultural property trafficking, with Kassianidou noting that financial crises often drive local communities to engage in the illegal trade of antiquities. She called for stronger measures and technological innovations to combat this issue, highlighting Cyprus's commitment to making this a key priority during its 2026 EU Council Presidency.
Dr. Panicos Pourgourides from the European Commission in Cyprus stressed the importance of international cooperation to address the challenge of illicit cultural trade. He noted the EU's efforts to strengthen import regulations and enhance collaboration with law enforcement to curb the trafficking of cultural goods.
Italian Ambassador Antonella Cavallari and Ukrainian Ambassador Sergii Nizhynskyi also spoke at the symposium, emphasizing the need for global collaboration and the significant impact of conflicts on cultural heritage. Cavallari advocated for preventive measures, while Nizhynskyi detailed the extensive damage to Ukraine's cultural sites due to the ongoing war.
Dr. Katariina Leinonen from the European External Action Service and Medea Sogor Ekner from the International Council of Museums (ICOM) highlighted the strategic importance of cultural heritage in peace, security, and sustainable development. They called for increased international collaboration and preparedness to protect cultural heritage.
The symposium concluded with panel discussions on various aspects of cultural heritage protection, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated international efforts to tackle illicit trafficking and preserve cultural identity for future generations.