"Egypt and Italy sign in October a protocol whereby a first Egyptian-Italian center will be set up in old Cairo for renovation of ancient antiquities," Minister of Culture Farouq Hosni said Saturday 1/8/2008.

The protocol will be signed by the ministers of culture of the two countries on the sidelines of a visit to Egypt by Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, Hosni said.

Following his return from Italy's Turin city where he opened the renovated Egyptian Museum (Musee Egizio Di Torinio) Hosni added his visit to Turin was a landmark visit due to the importance of the occasion, which saw the renovation of the Egyptian museum and in view of the close ties between the two countries.

He added that he discussed with his Italian opposite number Sandro Bondi means of promoting cooperation in the cultural field.