Greek Culture Minister receives WHIA board members in Athens

The reunification of the Parthenon Marbles and cultural exchanges between Greece and other countries abroad dominated a meeting held on Wednesday between Culture and Sports Minister Aristidis Baltas and board members of the World Hellenic Inter-Parliamentary Association (WHIA).

“Greece’s voice in UNESCO is there and is becoming ever stronger. Cultural diplomacy has succeeded in bringing many voices to our side on issues such as reuniting the Parthenon Marbles. With initiatives such as your own, the issue takes on a more global dimension. As we continue to investigate the legal avenue, we are trying – mainly – to enlarge the base of support for Greece in its demand for the integrity of the Parthenon, which is a symbol of UNESCO and a symbol of culture worldwide. Our arguments meet with significant support, even in Great Britain,” Baltas said.

“We are trying as a government to follow a multi-dimensional policy in the area of tourism, strengthening our country’s ties abroad,” Baltas said, referring to his recent trip to China and the possibilities for cooperation in culture it revealed.

The meeting also focused on ways to link culture with tourism and exporting the country’s modern culture and culture-related knowhow.

Attending from the WHIA were its President Thomas Katsiantonis, a state senator for New Hampshire in the United States, Vice-President Peter Katsambanis, elected to the Western Australian Legislative Council, Canadian Senator Panagiota Merchant, U.S. Senator for Rhodes Island Leonidas Raptakis, Canadian MP Gerasimos Sklavounos, Swedish MP Sotiris Delis, Swiss MP Philippe Kitsos, Australia’s Victoria State MP Steve Dimopoulos, U.S. Senator for New York Nicole Malliotakis, former Victoria State MP John Pandazopoulos, U.S. Senator for New Hampshire Efstathia Booras and former Victoria State industry minister Τheo Theophanous.