Press Releases

Your Excellency,

Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is with great pleasure that I am here today to address this event organised by the Italian Embassy in Cyprus in collaboration with the Department of Antiquities, marking the 50 years of archaeological relations between Cyprus and Italy. I would especially like to thank his Honourable the Ambassador of Italy, Mr. Andrea Cavallari, who took the initiative for this event and particularly for his assistance, support and cooperation throughout his term here in Cyprus.

Growing bilateral relations with Italy have been particularly important, especially in the area of combating illicit trafficking of antiquities, a sector where Italy holds extensive expertise and pioneers in relevant issues. This sort of collaboration has been pursued, especially in recent years, as the Department of Antiquities has been progressively focusing in enhancing the available legal framework on the issue, through the conclusion of Agreements or Memoranda of Understanding on the subject of the prevention of theft, clandestine excavation and illicit import, export or transfer of ownership of cultural property and the promotion of its restitution, thus implementing the 1970 UNESCO Convention, as well as through various activities and contacts in international fora and conferences.

Specifically, with Italy, the collaboration and expertise of the Carabinieri, whose Department for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, established since 1969 with the purpose to face the spread of criminal action to the nation’s cultural heritage, is particularly important as they have proven throughout their longstanding establishment that results can be achieved, when proper mechanisms are in place. As I have been informed, contacts are already in place with the Cyprus Police, the Department of Antiquities and the Carabinieri for the organisation of a training course on the issue of suppression of clandestine excavation and illicit trafficking of antiquities, which was however been temporarily postponed due to the pandemic.

It would be an oversight if in closing, I did not comment on the particular reason we are gathered here today and that is the commemoration of the half century old presence of Italian archaeological missions in Cyprus. The presence of archaeological research from Italian academics is marked in Cyprus since 1969, by the Italian Archaeological Mission of the National Research Council at Agia Eirini cemeteries. Since then, Italian missions have been actively working in Cyprus, over a span of sites and chronological periods contributing important results to Cypriot archaeology.

The history of Italian archaeological presence in Cyprus falls within the greater history of foreign archaeological research, which directly reflects the recent history of the island itself and its political situation. The first Italian mission begun work in the currently occupied site of Agia Eirini from 1969 up to 1973, making it one of the archaeological missions that were able to conclude part of their research prior to the 1974 Turkish invasion. After 1974, and a short hiatus experience in the archaeological matters of the island, an increasing number of foreign archaeological missions continued work in the areas under the effective control of the Republic, as a result of the policies enacted by the Department of Antiquities, coupled with a growing international interest in the archaeology of Cyprus. In this framework, we are most delighted that Italy continues to research and promote Cypriot archaeology.

I would like thus to close by expressing the support of the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Works to all scientific work related to Cypriot archaeology and thank the Embassy of Italy for all of its activities aiming to enhance our relations and promote the cultural heritage of Cyprus.

Thank you.

(AT)