During a meeting on Monday with Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities Sherif Fathy, the two officials agreed to deepen coordination on preserving and promoting cultural heritage. Discussions centred on expanding technical exchanges, sharing conservation expertise, and increasing the use of modern technologies in monument protection.
Fathy pointed to the importance of the Forum of Ancient Civilizations ministerial meeting held in Athens last December, noting Egypt will assume the forum’s presidency in 2027. He described the role as an opportunity to strengthen cooperation among countries facing similar heritage challenges.
Both ministers said the forum provides a platform for aligning strategies and exchanging expertise. They announced plans to establish an interdisciplinary working group on conservation, monument protection, and heritage presentation, with the longer-term aim of facilitating joint archaeological projects.
Mendoni also stressed the need to strengthen measures against the illegal trafficking of cultural property, saying discussions are underway toward a bilateral agreement to enhance legal and institutional cooperation.
She thanked Egypt for backing Greece’s campaign to reunify the Parthenon Sculptures in Athens, while reiterating Greece’s support for Egypt’s call to recover the Rosetta Stone. Mendoni said Greece has completed procedures to return six Egyptian artefacts confiscated in Athens and currently held at the National Archaeological Museum, with an official handover expected soon.
The talks also highlighted cooperation within the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Mendoni briefed Egyptian officials on an international conference on intangible cultural heritage scheduled for September in Athens and expressed hope for Egypt’s participation.
During the visit, Mendoni separately met Egypt’s Culture Minister Gihane Zaki to discuss implementing a recently signed memorandum of understanding on cultural cooperation.
Both ministers underlined the deep historical connections between Greece and Egypt, describing the Mediterranean as “a sea of memory and culture” that continues to link the two civilizations.
They also reviewed opportunities for joint work on Mediterranean cultural initiatives, including shared elements of intangible heritage such as olive oil traditions, the Mediterranean diet, and handicrafts.
Officials also discussed potential joint cultural projects, including an opera production to be staged at major heritage sites in both countries. Mendoni said George Koumendakis, artistic director of the Greek National Opera, will present a work inspired by Constantine Cavafy.
As part of her programme, Mendoni toured the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) on Tuesday, where she was briefed on the facility’s exhibition systems, conservation laboratories, and preservation technologies. The museum houses more than 75,000 artefacts.
The visit comes as Cairo and Athens seek to translate longstanding historical ties into broader institutional partnerships across the cultural sector.
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