Greece and Cyprus donated EUR 20,000 and USD 6,000 respectively for archaeological projects in Bulgaria, that are related to the ancient Greek and Byzantine antiquities in the country, Greek informational agency ANA reported.

According to Bulgarian National History Museum director Bozhidar Dimitrov, Greece donated the money for excavations in the necropolis of the ancient Greek city of Apollonia of Pontos, near the modern city of Sozopol. The ancient city, which was founded in the 6th century B.C., but was abandoned in the 1st century B.C., was one of the most important trade and culture centres of its day in the region.

The Cypriot donation was provided for restoration work done in the St. John Byzantine monastery also near Sozopol.

Both donations are part of a project to maintain and promote ancient Greek cultural heritage in Europe, Dimitrov pointed out, adding ''we are grateful for the donations, despite the fact that we are sad that our own state is not taking care of our heritage in Europe, in a similar fashion.''

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