Israel has returned 22 stolen antiquities to Greece, a cultural exchange taking place as relations between the two countries deepen.
On Tuesday, Greek and Israeli officials did not provide details on how the antiquities were discovered in Israel or the circumstances under which they were illegally taken out of Greece.
Israel's ambassador to Greece, Pninat Yanay, said the Theft Prevention Unit of the Israel Antiquities Authority identified the objects.
Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni received the antiquities from the Israel Antiquities Authority at a ceremony held at the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
Mendoni said: "This is the first time Israel has returned antiquities to Greece, marking the starting point of closer cooperation between the two countries to protect cultural heritage."
"Every time a cultural artifact is returned to its place of origin, it carries a broader symbolic and moral significance."
The collection consists of 15 Attic pottery vessels, six Corinthian pottery vessels and a bronze statue of a female figure.
The objects date from 700 BC to 320 BC.
Yanay said the return of the antiquities had created "the conditions for further strengthening cooperation between Greece and Israel".
Greece-Israel relations
Greece and Israel have strengthened energy and defense ties in recent years.
In August, Israel signed a $3.5bn defense deal to build a multi-layered air defense system in Greece, called Achilles Shield. It is the largest defense agreement between the two countries and one of the most significant export contracts in Israel's recent history.
