Greece, Bulgaria sign protocol for return of cultural artefacts

Greece and Bulgaria signed a protocol Saturday on the reciprocal handover of cultural artefacts, under which 48 Greek artefacts will return from Bulgaria, while Greece will hand over to Bulgaria the remains identified as those of medieval Bulgarian ruler Tsar Samuel, Greek national broadcaster ERT reported.



The protocol was signed by the two countries' culture ministers at the Museum of Byzantine Culture in Thessaloniki, northern Greece, in the presence of Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rumen Radev.



The 48 artefacts are being displayed at the museum until Nov. 5, 2026, after which they will be returned to their institutions of origin.