The Italian culture ministry said that cultural cooperation projects between the Louvre and the Italian museum system were the focus of the meeting.
The Italian ministry announced that on the basis of dossiers prepared by the competent offices, Sangiuliano also raised "the issue of the return of some archaeological artefacts that were stolen and illegally exported from Italy abroad and ended up in the French museum's collection".
Italy has previously reached agreement with other top museums and galleries, mainly in the United States, for the return of looted art and artefacts.
Meanwhile, Sangiuliano has said the image of GO! 2025 will be promoted in every fair trade event in the tourism and cultural spheres whenever Italy is present, during a meeting with Gorizia Mayor Rodolfo Ziberna and Regional Councillor for Culture of FVG, Tiziana Gibelli.
Gorizia won the European Capital of Culture title for 2025 in a joint bid with Slovinian city, Nova Gorica.
The title involves a city (or cities) designated by the European Union (EU) for a period of one calendar year, during which it organises a series of cultural events with a strong pan-European dimension.
Being a European Capital of Culture can be an opportunity for a city to generate considerable cultural, social and economic benefits and it can help foster urban regeneration, change the city's image and raise its visibility and profile on an international scale.
Sangiuliano underlined that he will personally follow the evolution of the event and will visit Gorizia and Nova Gorica as soon as possible, "perhaps together with the Slovenian minister of culture, to "feel" closer to the rebirth of "a territory deeply affected by history that has been able to rebuild itself, overcoming tragedies and resentments and becoming a symbol of the Europe of peace and progress".
The minister emphasised that the government will explore a range of possible lines of funding to support the Gorizia initiatives, "also because this is truly an extraordinary opportunity, including tourism, for Gorizia, Fvg, and the entire Northeast, and we want to be firmly at your side".
