On November 8, 2023, Lana Karaia, the Chair of ICOM Georgia, and Mariam Chkhaidze, a board member met with Luigi Spadari, the cultural heritage protection expert of the EUMM – European Union Monitoring Mission.

Initiated by the EUMM expert, the meeting focused on discussing the state and protection of museums and cultural heritage in the occupied regions of Georgia (Tskhinvali and Abkhazia) and the border area. The expert received comprehensive information about ICOM and ICOM Georgia’s activities, the circumstances surrounding museums and monuments in both regions, as well as the organization’s ongoing and future projects aimed at enhancing qualifications in cultural heritage protection during crises.

The participants also addressed ICOM Georgia’s forthcoming long-term project, the creation of the Red List of Georgia. This initiative is designed to combat the illegal trade of cultural goods and will contribute to the implementation of cultural heritage protection measures in the country.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the EUMM expert underscored that the discussed issues and the information received would significantly contribute to the completion of the EU monitoring mission’s report, strengthening future cooperation between ICOM Georgia and the EUMM. Their shared objective is the protection of cultural heritage.

Luigi Spadari, who previously served as a colonel in the Italian Carabinieri Command for the Protection of Cultural Heritage, collaborated closely with ICOM in Italy and internationally. His current mission in Georgia aims to enhance the EUMM’s capacity in cultural heritage protection, emphasizing the pivotal role of museums in safeguarding and demonstrating cultural heritage.