The statue of the Mother Goddess returns to Iraq

(ANSA) - ROME, JULY 23 - The statue of the "DeaMadre" of Mesopotamian origin, dating back to around 4,500 BC, returns to Iraq: the restitution ceremony took place on July 23 in Rome, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Heritage and cultural activities and tourism, in the presence of Minister Dario Franceschini, General Roberto Riccardi, commander of the Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage (TPC), to the Iraqi ambassador in Italy, Safia Taleb Al-Souhail.
    "It is a significant day that reinforces the historic collaboration between Italy and Iraq on the protection and protection of cultural heritage and which we will further intensify with the signing of the Memorandum on cultural cooperation and on the fight against illicit trafficking of cultural assets we are dealing with working and that we want to extend to the sectors of modernity and to the exchange between artists and new generations of scholars. Italy and Iraq have a great common passage and a great future, "said Franceschini.
    The Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq Safia Taleb Al-Souhail, has expressed his profound recognition to the Italian State and to all the Institutions - Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mibact and TPC Carabinieri Command - which have an active and extraordinary role in tracking down and recovering the exported Iraqi repertoire illegally, including the "mother goddess". The ambassador expressed gratitude to Minister Francesca for having promoted and hosted the delivery ceremony in the ministry's headquarters and praised the distinguishing role and the commitment that Italy has in the field of cultural diplomacy for the protection of the world heritage.
    During the meeting with Ambassador Safia Taleb Al-Souhail that took place before the ceremony, Franceschini confirmed that the recovery and return of this anti-artifact is "another important proof of collaboration and of the excellent work done by the Carabinieri Command TPC where we must be proud. " (HANDLE).