The Italian Ministry of Tourism will liaise with the Saudi Commission for Tourism and Antiquities (SCTA) to develop heritage programs and projects in the Kingdom in a bid to develop stronger cultural ties.

According to the SCTA, a joint statement has been signed in Rome to promote cooperation between the commission and the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Italy in the fields of archaeology, urban heritage and tourism.

The joint declaration paves the way for both countries to enter into institutional and regulatory agreements and to develop memorandums of understanding to promote tourism and antiquities.

The signing ceremony was held on the sidelines of the launching of the Saudi Heritage Exhibition at the Vittoriano Museum Complex in Rome, an SCTA official said on Monday.

Areas of cooperation also include implementing training programs and exchanging information on the design and development of new museums, in addition to the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage and architectural heritage, the official said.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed in the presence of Prince Saud Al-Faisal, minister of Foreign Affairs, and his Italian counterpart, Emma Bonino, Prince Sultan bin Salman, president of the SCTA, and Massimo Bray, minister of Cultural Heritage and Tourism in Italy.

The Saudi heritage exhibition in Rome, entitled “Saudi Arabia: A Crossroad of Civilizations,” had been organized by the SCTA as a part of the Kingdom’s celebrations in the Italian capital to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

The exhibition aims to indicate that cultural relations between the two countries are no less important than economic relations and that cultural and scientific exchanges between the two countries are progressing.

It also highlights the depth and strength of Saudi-Italian relations in various arenas, which date back to 1932. The Republic of Italy was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the Kingdom.

Italy officially opened a consulate in Jeddah and the two countries entered into an agreement of cooperation in 1933.

Saudi celebrations in Rome lasted five days and ended on Oct 5.