“The repatriation and return of cultural objects to their countries of origin is a matter of historical justice and a manifestation of mutual respect between nations,” Culture Minister Fadli Zon said in an official statement in Jakarta on Wednesday.
Indonesia recently repatriated approximately 28,131 Dubois fossils from Trinil and 30,000 artifacts from the Netherlands.
According to Fadli Zon, countries such as Indonesia, Greece, Iraq, and Egypt could form a coalition to encourage the return of cultural objects.
The ministry is committed to following up on the meeting's outcomes and spearheading the formation of an international coalition to advocate for the return of national cultural heritage.
During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of coordination within UNESCO, particularly regarding the protection of cultural heritage, the promotion of intangible cultural heritage, and the eradication of illegal cultural objects.
Greek Ambassador to Indonesia Dimitrios Michalopoulos expressed support for various agendas for preserving Indonesia's cultural heritage.
At the meeting, Indonesia and Greece also agreed on cooperation in the museum sector, which will focus on direct collaboration between institutions.
The cooperation will include the exchange of scientific preservation knowledge and exhibitions of Indonesian artifacts in Greece to introduce Indonesian culture to the European public.
According to Fadli Zon, there is a possibility for the Public Service Agency for Museums and Cultural Heritage to collaborate with museum managers in Greece.
In Greece, museums operate independently. Indonesian cultural heritage management institutions could collaborate with various museums in Greece, such as the Numismatic Museum and the Byzantine Museum.
At the meeting, Indonesia and Greece also agreed to draft a new Memorandum of Understanding, which would replace the 2004 cultural education agreement, which expired in 2018.
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Translator: Sinta Ambarwati, Cindy Frishanti Octavia
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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