Minister of Culture Constnantinos Tassoulas visited Italy to attend a special ceremony during the informal EU Culture Ministry Council in Turin (23-24.09), during which the Italian Ministry of Culture returned to Greece a total of 80 ancient coins, dated between the 5th and 2nd centuries BC.

During his visit, Tassoulas granted an interview to Italian La Stampa titled "Greece’s future restarts from a tomb" referring to the excavations at the archaeological site of Amphipolis

“The archaeological team, led by Ekaterini Peristeri, implements the scientific ethics and keeps Greeks and the international audience updated on the progress of the excavation,” said the minister.

Regarding the importance of culture for the wider economic and social life of the country, Tassoulas stressed the Greek government places great emphasis on Greece’s further cultural development. A recent study showed that €1 million investments in culture have 3.4 million euros of knock-on economic effects, he added. The paper said that Tassoulas and his Italian counterpart Dario Franceschini agree on the significance of culture as a main factor in the European growth strategies.

"This ceremony has been made possible thanks to the excellent cooperation of our ministries, of the Italian police with Greece’s embassy in Rome and of course thanks to the implementation of a 1993 EU directive, which was amended this year during Greece’s EU presidency. A directive which refers to the return of cultural objects unlawfully removed from the territory of a Member State," he added.

See also Greek News Agenda: Ancient Coins Returning Home