Greece handed over 1,055 ancient coins to Turkey this month, returning smuggled artifacts that Greek authorities had sei...

Greece handed over 1,055 ancient coins to Turkey this month, returning smuggled artifacts that Greek authorities had seized in 2025 after confirming they were illegally removed from Turkish soil. The handover took place at the first-ever Greece-Turkey Culture Forum, held in Cappadocia earlier in June. Turkish Culture and Tourism Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced the return, saying the forum was created to strengthen cultural bridges between the two countries. Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni was also present at the ceremony. Mendoni called culture "the deepest and most enduring field of communication between our societies," saying history has created shared experiences across the Eastern Mediterranean that show up in art, architecture, language, and the cities both countries share. The two ministers used the forum to discuss future cooperation on fighting antiquities trafficking, which Ersoy said would be "a gain not only for both countries but for humanity's shared memory." In a notable diplomatic gesture, Ersoy reaffirmed Turkey's support for Greece's ongoing push to get the Parthenon Sculptures returned from the United Kingdom. He said Turkey's backing reflects a broader principle that cultural heritage should be preserved within its historical and cultural context. The meeting also included a joint visit to the Tokali Church in Cappadocia, where the ministers reviewed ongoing restoration work at the site. #GreeceturKey #CulturalHeritage #Antiquities