The need to strengthen cultural ties between Greece and Moldova—relations characterized by a spirit of cooperation and friendship—was highlighted during the working visit of Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni to Chișinău. As part of the visit, she held talks with Moldova’s President Maia Sandu, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan, as well as the President and members of the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Education, Research, Sports, Youth and Media.

Lina Mendoni and Cristian Jardan signed a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of preservation, conservation, and restoration of Moldova’s cultural heritage.

Lina Mendoni with Moldova’s Minister of Culture Cristian Jardan

During the meeting between the Minister of Culture and President Maia Sandu—also attended by Minister Cristian Jardan—the importance of culture as a privileged field of cooperation between the two countries was reaffirmed, both as a driver of Moldova’s development and as a means of strengthening democratic values and national identity. The possibility of transferring know-how in the preservation and restoration of Moldova’s cultural assets, particularly the historic buildings of Chișinău, was emphasized. It was agreed that Greece would support the promotion of cultural sites and landmarks in order to boost Moldova’s cultural tourism.

Additionally, the Ministry of Culture agreed to send experts to assist in the development and promotion of museums, including through their digital transformation. It was also agreed that Greece would support Moldova in the process of including its monuments on the UNESCO World Heritage List and in the Cultural Routes of the Council of Europe.

During the lengthy bilateral meeting between the two Ministers of Culture, the Memorandum of Understanding on issues of conservation and restoration of cultural heritage was signed. The Moldovan side showed particular interest in the transfer of know-how regarding the impact of climate change on cultural heritage, with Greece’s National Strategy serving as a key reference point, as well as in the Cultural Prescription program, which the Greek Ministry of Culture is implementing with notable success. At the same time, the two sides discussed cooperation on modernizing Moldova’s archaeological legislation, based on Greece’s experience and expertise.

A key topic in Lina Mendoni’s discussions with Cristian Jardan was the documentation and utilization of cultural heritage linked to the historic Greek presence in Moldova. “The two ministries will cooperate to highlight and promote the footprint of Hellenism dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries, for the benefit of both countries,” the two Culture Ministers clarified.

Finally, Lina Mendoni welcomed the teaching of the Greek language at the State University of Moldova, an initiative that strengthens educational cooperation.

The substantive role of parliaments in strengthening relations between the two countries was discussed during Lina Mendoni’s meeting with Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu, who has recently visited Greece, as well as the importance of the Greece–Moldova Friendship Committee in promoting the historical ties between the two nations.

During the meeting between the Minister of Culture and the Parliamentary Committee on Culture, Education, Research, Youth, Sports and Media, the historically high level of bilateral relations was emphasized—further accelerated following the establishment of the Greek Embassy in Chișinău two years ago—while the role of parliamentary committees in shaping public cultural policy and fostering closer ties between the two countries was highlighted.

Lina Mendoni expressed to Committee Chair Liliana Nicolauscu-Onofrei Greece’s support for the creation of specific “roadmaps” to ensure tangible results. Also participating in the talks were the Committee Secretary Marcela Adam and MPs Valentina Mesana, Diana Caraman, Maxim Potirniche, and Larisa Novak, the latter also serving as chair of the Greece–Moldova parliamentary friendship group.

At the same time, the Minister of Culture visited the National Museum of History, where she toured the exhibition presenting the evolution of communities in the region from the Paleolithic era to the 13th century AD. The final stop of her visit was the Byzantine church of Saint Panteleimon.

Throughout her visit to Chișinău, Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni was accompanied by Greece’s ambassador to Moldova, Nikolaos Krikos.