The protection of cultural heritage is a high foreign policy priority of the two countries and its main goal is to raise awareness of the need to protect cultural heritage, to fight the illicit trafficking of cultural goods, and to prevent and combat all forms of trafficking in cultural property and related illegal activities.

Moreover, this initiative aims to share best practices and promote their internationalisation; and strengthen connections among different legal sources.

Kornelios Korneliou, ambassador, Permanent Representation of Cyprus, noted, “The idea of establishing a Group of Friends for the protection of cultural heritage was born here in New York, aspiring that this platform could revitalise international interest, by raising awareness and encouraging implementation of the existing legal framework as well as by sharing best practices and strengthening synergies.”