Egypt and France Deepen Cultural Ties: 57 French Archaeological Missions Currently Active

Egypt’s Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, Sherif Fathy, met with French Minister of Culture, Catherine Pégard, during his official visit to Paris. The high-level meeting focused on expanding bilateral cooperation in archaeology, cultural heritage preservation, and the protection of antiquities, reflecting the deeply rooted historical and strategic ties between Cairo and Paris.

Both ministers emphasized that bilateral relations are experiencing continuous growth across multiple sectors. This momentum is strongly supported by the close diplomatic relationship between Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi and French President Emmanuel Macron, which serves to push joint cultural initiatives toward broader horizons.

Scale of French Archaeological Excavations in Egypt

A central topic of the discussions was the extensive on-the-ground cooperation in heritage fieldwork. The ministers highlighted that 57 French archaeological missions are currently active across various historical sites in Egypt. These teams play a pivotal role in leading excavations, carrying out restoration projects, and publishing critical historical studies.

The ministers praised the institutional partnerships linking Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities with prominent French entities, notably the French Institute of Oriental Archaeology (IFAO) in Cairo and the Franco-Egyptian Centre for the Study of the Temples of Karnak (CFEETK). Both organizations were cited as successful models of international scientific and cultural collaboration.

Combating Illicit Antiquities Trade and GEM Library Expansion

The bilateral agenda also tackled global security challenges concerning cultural properties. Fathy and Pégard explored strategic measures to combat the illicit trafficking of antiquities. They agreed on the vital importance of continuous coordination, intelligence sharing, and mutual expertise exchange to safeguard global cultural heritage and prevent historical artifacts from entering the black market.

Additionally, the meeting highlighted the progress of a joint initiative to design and structure the research library at the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM). Funded with support from the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, this cutting-edge facility is scheduled to open its doors to the public soon. Once completed, the library will significantly enhance the academic and research capabilities of the world-class museum complex, serving as a monument to modern Franco-Egyptian partnership.

The high-profile meeting was attended by a senior Egyptian delegation, including Ahmed Sobhi, Deputy Ambassador of Egypt to France; Rana Gohar, Advisor to the Minister for Communications and Foreign Relations; and Dr. Ahmed Nabil, Assistant to the Minister.