The Minister of Culture, Lina Mendoni, is on an official visit to Armenia to participate in the 8th Ministerial Meeting of the Forum of Ancient Civilisations, which is being held in Yerevan. As part of the visit, Lina Mendoni had a long working meeting with the Armenian Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports Zhanna Andreasyan, with whom they discussed, in a very warm atmosphere, the possibilities of strengthening cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Lina Mendoni thanked and congratulated Zhanna Andreasyan for the organization of the Forum, which, as she stressed, is a unique opportunity for fruitful dialogue and cooperation between countries with a rich cultural heritage from different continents. She also pointed out the need for cooperation to address contemporary challenges such as the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, the ravages of war and the consequences of climate change.

The discussion focused on the prospects for cooperation in the field of cultural heritage, with emphasis on the new technologies offered for the protection of monuments. The two Ministers recognised the importance of the use of satellite imagery and artificial intelligence for the mapping, monitoring and protection of cultural monuments. Furthermore, they agreed to strengthen their cooperation through the exchange of know-how and the hosting of archaeological exhibitions. One of the topics discussed was the presentation of the exhibition “The Greeks. From Agamemnon to Alexander the Great” in Armenia.

Particular emphasis was also placed on the field of contemporary culture, with the two Ministers discussing the strengthening of their cooperation in the field of cinema, theatre and audiovisual media. Lina Mendoni mentioned the dynamics of Greek and Armenian handicrafts and stressed the interest in cooperation and joint exhibitions in this field. In this context, Minister Andreasyan invited Greece to participate in the International Handicraft Festival held every summer in Armenia, underlining the importance of the exchange of cultural products and techniques between the two countries.

Lina Mendoni also presented the actions of the Greek Ministry of Culture for the adaptation of cultural heritage to the effects of climate change, stressing that “Greece has developed important initiatives and has made great strides in the prevention of the effects of climate change on monuments at international level as well as in the field of conservation and restoration and we are here to exchange good practices”.

The discussion also included the consultation of two new agreements, which are currently under review by the competent Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture of the two countries and aim at closer and more substantial cultural cooperation. The first of the agreements concerns the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural goods, and the second is on the renewed Executive Programme for Cultural Cooperation 2024-2028.

In conclusion, Lina Mendoni reiterated Greece’s commitment to strengthen cooperation with Armenia, noting that the protection of cultural heritage is a shared responsibility and a global priority.

Subsequently, the Minister of Culture visited the headquarters of the “Union of Greek Communities” in Armenia. The Greek community has about 900 people of mixed marriages. The association organises many activities and programmes. These initiatives include camps for children of Greek origin, as well as events that promote the language, culture and history of Greece. There was an extensive discussion on the possibilities of strengthening the activities of the community.

Afterwards, Lina Mendoni toured the Museum of the Armenian Genocide and laid a wreath at the Monument together with the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Kostas Frangogogiannis, who is visiting Armenia for political consultations.