[PIO] The Deputy Minister of Culture held meetings with officials of the international organization UNESCO and participated in the award ceremony of

Ways of strengthening cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and UNESCO (United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization), as well as more active involvement of Cyprus in matters of protection and preservation of the world cultural heritage, were discussed during her visit to Paris by the Deputy Minister of Culture, Dr Vasiliki Kassianidou.

The Deputy Minister paid a two-day working visit to the capital of France on 15-17 November 2023, during which she met with the leadership of UNESCO and participated in the ceremony of awarding the UNESCO International Prize for Greece "Melina Mercouri".

Specifically, Dr. Kassianidou met with the Director General of UNESCO, Ms. Audrey Azoulay, with whom she discussed issues of mutual interest and ways to strengthen cooperation between the Republic of Cyprus and the Organization.

Ms. Azoulay expressed to Dr. Casssianidou her warm thanks for the long-standing support and involvement of the Republic of Cyprus in the work of UNESCO.

Further, the Deputy Minister of Culture met with the UNESCO Deputy Director-General for Culture Mr. Ernesto Ottone and the Director of the UNESCO World Heritage Centre Mr. Lazare Eloundou Assomo. The aim of the meetings was to discuss the more active participation of the Republic of Cyprus in UNESCO committees and working groups, with special reference to the World Heritage Committee. Dr Kassianidou also met with the Head of the UNESCO Liaison Office in Brussels and Representative to the European Union, Ms Louise Haxthausen.

During the meetings, ways for the effective and systematic involvement of Cyprus in the protection and safeguarding of the world cultural heritage were discussed. Further explored were ways to develop effective policies to address the impact of climate change on all forms of culture, as well as to combat illicit trafficking of cultural goods.

During her contacts, Dr. Kassianidou presented the areas of competence and priorities of the Deputy Ministry of Culture and expressed her wish that the Republic of Cyprus, as an important hub in the Eastern Mediterranean region, be a facilitator and substantial contributor to regional and international initiatives. The award was presented to the Gunditjmara community for its long-term efforts to protect and manage the cultural landscape of Budj Bim, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Deputy Minister of Culture returns to Cyprus this evening.

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