Culture and Tourism Minister Ersoy Makes Statement on Historical Artifact Returns and MIT
Minister Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that more than 9,000 historical artifacts have been returned in the last 8 years, and that support is occasionally received from MIT for the process.
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy made important statements regarding the efforts carried out in the process of bringing back historical artifacts smuggled abroad. Minister Ersoy stated that more than 9,000 artifacts have been brought to Turkey in the last 8 years, and that they sometimes request help from the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) for operational processes.
Return Successes in Recent Years
Minister of Culture and Tourism Mehmet Nuri Ersoy announced that they are carrying out a comprehensive study on the return of cultural assets illegally taken abroad to the country. According to the statement, 26 artifacts were brought back to Turkey within the year 2026. The total number of artifacts brought to the country since 2002 has reached 13,474. More than 9,000 of these were secured just within the last 8-year period.
Support is Received from MIT
Drawing attention to the importance of interagency coordination in the process of tracking and recovering historical artifacts, Minister Ersoy stated that they also benefit from intelligence units during operational stages. Ersoy expressed that regarding the efforts to return the artifacts, they sometimes make requests from MIT and ask for support for specific subjects and artifacts.
International Cooperations and Approaches
It was noted that experts tasked with tracking artifacts regularly examine museums, private collections, and international auctions around the world. While the highest number of artifact returns was secured from the United States, the cooperation on combating cultural property smuggling between the two countries was extended for five years on March 24, 2026. On the other hand, it was stated that countries such as the UK and Germany do not even approach discussing return issues.
Example Return Processes and Struggle
Long-term legal and diplomatic struggles are being waged regarding the return of historical heritage. Minister Ersoy cited the process of bringing back the 13th panel of the Gypsy Girl mosaic and the Marcus Aurelius statue, which was brought to the country after a 65-year struggle, as examples of these efforts.