Athens News Agency: News in English, 07-03-29

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From: The Athens News Agency at <http://www.ana.gr/>

CONTENTS

[01] Artifacts returned by Getty, PM lauds efforts for repatriation of Parthenon Marble

[01] Artifacts returned by Getty, PM lauds efforts for repatriation of Parthenon Marble

Karamanlis was speaking to reporters after a handover ceremony marking the return of two important ancient Greek artifacts from the J. Paul Getty Museum in Los Angeles, held at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens, where the artifacts will be on display.

The artifacts are a 4th century B.C. gold funerary wreath from the northern Greek province of Macedonia and a archaic-era statue of a 'kore' (young woman) made of Parian marble. The agreement for their return had been announced a few months ago.

The agreement with the Getty Museum, where the antiquities were housed, was reached after the Greek govermnment contested the legality of their export from the country.

Karamanlis further said that a bill aimed at curbing the illegal trade and smuggling of antiquties would be tabled in parliament by the culture ministry in the near future.

"Policy is vindicated when it yields tangible results. Our goals become action, day by day," Karamanlis added.

Meeting with EU's Wallstrom

Earlier, Karamanlis received EU Commisssion Vice-President Margot Wallstrom, who also holds the Institutional Relations and Communication Strategy portfolio.

The two leaders reportedly discussed issues relating to the European Union. No statements were made after the meeting.

Caption: Prime Minister Costas Karamanlis views the gold Macedonian funerary wreath that went on display at the National Archaeological Museum of Athens on Thursday, March 29, 2007. ANA-MPA / S. PANTZARTZI.

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