Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said Monday that an exhibition of the sunken Egyptian artifacts in Paris reflects the distinguished ties between the Egypt and France.

Shoukry made the remarks in his speech on behalf of President Abdel Fattah El Sisi at the opening of an exhibition themed "Osiris, Sunken Mysteries of Egypt," in the French capital Paris.

French President Francois Hollande inaugurated the exhibition with the presence of Egyptian Antiquities Minister Mamdouh el Damati, Tourism Minister Khaled Rami along with a number of French ministers and Egypt's Ambassador in Paris Ihab Badawi.

"It is an honor that Osiris exhibition is held in Paris," Shoukry said in his speech.

"The exhibition groups a unique group of antiquities that was recovered through underwater excavations during the past years in Abu Qir Gulf off the coast of Alexandria as well as a selection of artifacts of major Egyptian museums," he said.

The top Egyptian diplomat added that the event comes at a very important time when Egypt is moving ahead towards real renaissance in various economic, social and cultural fields.

The minister noted that the exhibition is held amid mounting challenges in the Middle East, including the preservation of the cultural heritage that date back to thousands of years ago from looting, illegal trade and organized crime.

"Egypt hosted in May a conference on "the cultural property in danger," which was the first get-together in the world to discuss crimes that committed against the historical heritage in the Middle East.

He hailed an initiative launched by the French president to assign Louvre Museum to put forth proposals to protect the cultural property in cases of armed conflicts in cooperation with UNESCO.

"The initiative is an evidence of the convergence of views between Egypt and France towards the dangers that threaten the security and heritage of the Middle East," Shoukry said.

Source: MENA