Minister of Culture, Ghattas Khoury, and the Japanese Ambassador to Lebanon, Masahiro Yamagyshi, held a joint press conference this Friday at the Ministry's headquarters in the presence of ranking dignitaries. 
"I would like to seize this opportunity to thank the friendly country of Japan, which has donated a laboratory to assist those who work in the field of archaeological discovery and scientific identification. The laboratory and its machines will be under the supervision of the National Council for Scientific Research," Khoury said. 
"It is also an opportunity to encourage the countries that grant the Ministry of Culture donations. Efforts will be exerted and they will focus on diligent scientific work for the preservation of Lebanese monuments and the discovery of those still hidden," he pledged, noting that "Lebanon stores the memory of the world." 
The Minister of Culture explained that he and the Japanese Ambassador discussed the possibility of carrying out a cultural exchange project by organizing cultural events in Japan soon, "so that we can display Lebanon's diversity in art, music, literature, theater, cinema, cuisine and other things." 
"We hope for renewing cultural ties with Japan, especially since we come from the east and share many values," he concluded. 
The Japanese ambassador, for his part, deemed the signing of the agreement as a "gift we hoped to achieve to help develop the cultural heritage in Lebanon; a heritage that is characterized in the Middle East." 

source: NNA