Policy Profile Greece
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The European Commission has a Representation Office and the European Parliament a Liaison Office, both in Athens. The Greek Government has a Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels.
At the national level, the Βουλή των Ελλήνων (Hellenic Parliament) has a key role in cultural affairs, notably, passing legislation on matters related to cultural heritage and the arts, which are introduced by the Υπουργείο Πολιτισμού (Ministry of Culture). The Ministry of Culture and the Υπουργείο Περιβάλλοντος και Ενέργειας (Ministry of Environment and Energy) are jointly responsible for protection of the architectural and natural heritage. The highest advisory body on all matters related to the protection of ancient monuments, archaeological sites and sites of exceptional historical importance up to 1830 is the Κεντρικό Αρχαιολογικό Συμβούλιο (Central Archaeological Council).
Several services of the Ministry of Culture are responsible for the on-site implementation of policies on the protection, preservation and valorisation of archaeological heritage. There are also special departments responsible for cultural heritage protection, such as the Ephorate of Underwater Antiquities or the Ephorate of Palaeoanthropology and Speleology.
At regional level, several regional services of the Ministry of Culture are responsible for the on-site implementation of policies on the protection, preservation and valorisation of archaeological heritage.
The General Directorate of Antiquities and Cultural Heritage is responsible for the overall protection and management of cultural heritage through: 25 Ephorates of Prehistoric and Classical Antiquities and 14 Ephorates of Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Antiquities.
The General Directorate of Restoration, Museums and Technical Works is an additional general Service responsible for the study and implementation of restoration on architectural monuments and sites. Specifically for modern architectural heritage and sites dating after 1831, responsible are 8 Ephorates – Services of Modern Monuments and Technical Works. Moreover, a number of archaeological museums are given special regional service status (National Archaeological; Epigraphical; Numismatic; Byzantine; Archaeological Museum of Heraklion; Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki; Museum of Byzantine Culture of Thessaloniki).
At the regional level, the Central Council of Architecture (KE.ΣΑ.) of the Ministry of Environment and Energy advises on the permits of heritage buildings and sites dating after 1831. Local Councils of Architecture (Σ.Α) are local committees that advise and control aspects such as the designation of listed buildings, the demolition of dangerous listed buildings etc.
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* = This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
