FM: Ancient Civilizations Forum plays pivotal role in countering terrorism

CAIRO - 28 September 2018- Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry stressed the need to mobilize efforts to fight against illicit trafficking in cultural property and seek ways to retrieve stolen antiquities by establishing a mechanism for coordination among member states of the Ancient Civilizations Forum and international and regional organizations concerned.

This came during his participation in a ministerial meeting of the Forum, held in New York on the sidelines of the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly, and bringing together member countries including Egypt, Italy, India, Bolivia, Iraq, Iran, Mexico and Peru, plus China, Greece and Armenia, which joined the Forum this year.

The Forum is an important platform that reflects the importance of the role played by countries of ancient civilizations in preserving the cultural and humanitarian heritage, providing a model for peaceful coexistence and extending bridges of communication and understanding among peoples of different cultures, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid said. It also shows their role in reviving the lofty values of civilization and human history in our contemporary world, which is plagued by conflicts and extremism and ignorance and non-acceptance of the other, he added.

He said that the foreign minister stressed in his address to the gathering the pivotal role played by the Forum in countering terrorism.

The minister also, according to the spokesman, praised the achievements made during the previous ministerial meetings, the one in Athens last year and the other hosted by La Paz in July, pointing out that both meetings served the objectives of the Forum by giving a strong impetus to regional and international efforts to counter the threats of terrorism and extremism and promote the principles of peace and moderation, a thing which contributes to enhancing international security, stability and prosperity.

He added that Shoukry warned during the meeting against using the media and cultural platforms to promote terrorist ideologies and spread twisted ideas about religion and civilization.

He invited his participating counterparts to attend the inauguration of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM) at the end of this year.