The Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Culture, through the Department of Antiquities, is trying to monitor illegal excavations in the occupied territories and take measures against the illegal trafficking and sale of Cypriot antiquities, the head of the Ministry, Vasiliki Kassianidou said, in her intervention at the “Cooperation for Resilience” Conference in Ukraine.
According to a press release from the Deputy Ministry, Dr. Kassianidou travelled to Ukraine at the invitation of the country’s Minister of Culture and Information Policy, Mykola Tochytskyi, to participate in the deliberations of the Ukraine Culture Conference Cooperation for Resilience, held on February 1st in the city of Uzhhorod.
EU Commissioner for Culture, Sports, and Youth, Glenn Micallef, participated, along with Culture Ministers from EU member states as well as representatives of international organizations like UNESCO, and representatives of Ukrainian authorities.
On the sidelines of the Conference, the Cypriot Deputy Minister had bilateral meetings with her EU counterparts as well as Commissioner Micallef.
The focus of the Conference was the discussion on the crucial role that culture plays in building resilience, promoting regional development and social cohesion, as well as in the daily lives of people during times of crisis.
Ukrainian officials informed about the extent of the destruction of the country’s monuments and cultural structures, the loss and looting of cultural assets, as well as the measures they are taking to protect their cultural heritage and identity.
In her intervention during the thematic session “National and International Sanctions: Combating the Illegal Trafficking of Cultural Property,” the Deputy Minister referred to the example of Cyprus and the tragic consequences brought about by the Turkish invasion of 1974 and the ongoing illegal occupation of 36% of the territory of the Republic of Cyprus for 50 years on its cultural heritage and culture more broadly.
Dr. Kassianidou said that the Ministry of Culture, through the Department of Antiquities, is trying to monitor illegal excavations in the occupied territories and to take measures against the illegal trafficking and sale of Cypriot antiquities.
“There is an urgent need to act,” emphasized Dr. Kassianidou, “because despite legislative measures, international treaties, and the widespread dissemination of codes of ethics, the trade in antiquities worldwide has intensified, while the ability to sell through online platforms has multiplied the number of potential buyers and the quantity and type of items for sale”.
She also highlighted the intense effort that Cyprus is making to combat the illegal trafficking of its antiquities through international or intergovernmental collaborations and by invoking international treaties and UN emergency actions concerning issues of illegal export and trade of cultural heritage.
Dr. Kassianidou asked those present to sign the Nicosia Convention, explaining that it is the only international treaty that focuses on criminal measures and sanctions for illegal activities, such as the destruction and trafficking of cultural heritage, while also providing a comprehensive set of measures to promote international cooperation among states for better prevention and combating of illegal trafficking and the deliberate destruction of cultural property.
Concluding, the Deputy Minister expressed the unwavering support of all Cypriots for the people of Ukraine who are suffering and wished that peace will be achieved. She also extended an invitation to experts from Ukraine to carry out a working visit to Cyprus with the aim of collaborating with the relevant officials of the Department of Antiquities of the Deputy Ministry of Culture, as well as other government departments.
“Cyprus is here to support you and your efforts to protect your cultural heritage and the cultural sector. We stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes,” she concluded.
