Скриншот видео пресс-службы Минкульта.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ihar Sakreta mentioned cooperation with the Russian Federation on the return of cultural assets. The issue was discussed at a meeting of the Commission on the Identification, Return, Joint Use and Integration Into Scientific and Cultural Circulation of Cultural Assets Located Outside Belarus, the Foreign Ministry press service reported.
No details were provided in the statement.
The commission meeting took place today, March 31, at the Belarusian Culture Ministry. It was chaired by the commission’s co-heads — Deputy Foreign Minister Ihar Sakreta and First Deputy Culture Minister Dzmitry Shliakhtsin.
“Ihar Sakreta informed participants about the activities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs regarding the return of cultural assets located outside the country, as well as cooperation with the Russian Federation in this area. Special attention was paid to international experience, including UNESCO and Interpol projects aimed at combating the illegal trafficking of cultural heritage. Participants in the meeting summed up the Commission’s activities in 2025 and discussed areas of work for the current year”, the statement said.
Following the meeting, the Commission’s work plan for 2026 was approved.
The Culture Ministry press service added that information was reviewed regarding cultural assets of Belarusian origin discovered in Germany and taken out of the republic during World War II, and the composition of an expert group was approved.
Volha Papko, director of the state research institution Centre for Research on Belarusian Culture, Language and Literature of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, was elected as the new head of the expert group.