Greek Minister of Culture Lina Mendoni and her French counterpart Rachida Dati. Photo source: Culture Ministry
Greece and France are elevating their long-standing cultural collaboration to a new strategic level, recognizing culture as a vital pillar of their broader alliance.
Underscoring the growing importance of cultural ties as a driver of diplomacy, economic cooperation, and shared European values, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni and her French counterpart, Rachida Dati, signed a Memorandum of Cultural Cooperation.
The agreement, signed on the sidelines of the EU Council of Ministers for Culture meeting in Brussels in mid-May, sets the framework for exchanging expertise and best practices in protecting cultural heritage, conserving monuments, and promoting archival materials.
Ministers Mendoni and Dati underlined that this cooperation reflects the “strategic significance of Greek-French relations”, extending beyond culture into their overall partnership.
The memorandum also includes personnel exchanges between the Greek Culture Ministry and France’s National Institute of Cultural Heritage – initiatives that began as early as March 2024.
Greece’s upcoming EU Presidency
Photo source: Institut national du patrimoine
During their meeting, the ministers reviewed the depth and breadth of Greek-French cultural ties, aligning closely with the broader strategic partnership.
Minister Mendoni outlined Greece’s priorities for its upcoming Presidency of the Council of the EU in 2027, focusing notably on mitigating climate change’s impact on cultural heritage.
On her art, Minister Dati voiced strong support, commending Greece’s National Strategic Plan and leadership in this area.
Additionally, Minister Mendoni backed Minister Dati’s initiative – set to be unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival – to bolster the EU’s audiovisual and film production sectors.
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