2 Feb 2017 16:49

Restoration of Palmyra matter of honor - Hermitage General Director Piotrovsky

ST. PETERSBURG. Feb 2 (Interfax) - State Hermitage Museum General Director Mikhail Piotrovsky has called the need to restore Syrian monuments, including Palmyra, a 'matter of honor'.

"Unfortunately, Palmyra has been lost, but it is necessary to return it. It is a matter of honor," Piotrovsky said at a press conference at the Interfax press center in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

The Culture Ministry is currently drafting an agreement involving the Hermitage Museum, other culture institutions and UNESCO on restoring monuments in Syria, he said.

"But in order for this to happen, fighting will have to subside," Piotrovsky said.