Alternate Minister for Culture Nikos Xydakis expressed Greece’s full support for the directives issued by UNESCO on the national policies to combat illicit trafficking of cultural goods. Speaking at the Third Meeting of States Parties to the 1970 Convention in Paris, he presented the Greek proposal on the illegal cultural trade called “Stop Illicit Trafficking”.

The Greek proposal urges the 127 countries which have signed UNESCO’s convention to form a wider alliance that will strengthen legislation as well as police and customs authorities to help stop cultural goods from being smuggled out of a country without legal documents.

He also cited the harsh realities in war zones where cultural goods are looted: “Hellenistic antiquities have the sad privilege of being highly sought after on the international art market,” he said, adding that “a mission is being planned for Iraq to deal with this subject”.