Turkey to push for return of ‘stolen’ artefacts

Western museums are in a “panic” over the repatriation of “stolen” artefacts to Turkey, the country’s Culture and Tourism Minister Ertugrul Gunay has said, adding that he hopes regional neighbours also reclaim their ancient treasures.

Turkey will continue putting pressure on museums, especially many in Western Europe, to return the country’s illegally removed ancient treasures, Culture Minister Ertugrul Gunay has warned.

Gunay told the Hurriyet Daily News that Ankara’s new art repatriation policy has caused “panic” among Western museums, but that the effort had been largely successful and would continue. He added that the he hoped Greece, Iraq and Syria would also act to recover “stolen” art.

via Turkey to push for return of ‘stolen’ artefacts – FRANCE 24.