Dear members

The past months have been a challenging time for our community, and we are grateful for the patience, engagement, and trust you have shown as we work through matters of real importance to the EAA and to archaeology more broadly. The Executive Board is pleased to share with you its first decisions following recommendations of the Task Force established after the Belgrade September 2025 AMBM to review and advise the Board on the EAA’s future directions - its roadmap.

The Task Force is considering how to address both the roadmap and the implementation of the motions put to the EAA in January 2026. Invited to join the Task Force were representatives of the EAA Statutes Committee, EAA Nomination Committee, EAA Advisory Committees, the EAA Appeal and Anti-Harassment Committee, the Early Career Archaeologists Community (as representatives of the next generation of archaeologists), and two individual EAA members.

Our message to members of 20 March 2026 described the programme and timescale for implementation, while an update of 23 April 2026 summarised the situation for both members and European archaeologists more widely. Specifically, the Task Force was asked to first review the EAA's policy on institutional affiliations as part of its broader mandate to develop a comprehensive and consistent framework for the Association's governance and Statutes. It needed to ensure that decisions made in this area rest on solid, coherent foundations because they will apply to all comparable situations, not only the current one.

The outcome of the first stage of Task Force deliberation, endorsed after discussion by the Executive Board, is a statement on institutional affiliations and a new EAA statement on current conflicts in Western Asia.

Institutional affiliations
The EAA will only suspend the institutional membership or representation of organisations when a recognised international body, such as the European Union or United Nations, has formally imposed restrictive measures against that institution, or the institution contravenes international legal obligations. Any suspension will apply only to specific institutions, mirroring the approach of the EU's own sanctions framework (including Council Regulation (EU) No. 833/2014 and its amendments), which targets named entities rather than applying blanket national bans. In any given year, such a suspension will be first enacted by the Board and, to extend to future years, will require ratification by a per rollam vote of members, ensuring democratic accountability. This approach provides a clear legal basis for the EAA's actions and ensures consistency with decisions taken by relevant international authorities, and establishes a transparent framework for bodies wishing to partner with and support the EAA. In the case of Russia and Belarus, when the EU lifts its sanctions, our colleagues in these countries will be able to participate, and to do so with their institutional affiliations.

EAA Statement on Current Conflicts in Western Asia
The Statement can be found here. The EAA's statement on current conflicts in Western Asia was prepared in cooperation with the Task Force following detailed deliberation (and has only been subject to very minor edits by the Executive Board). The EAA does not consider it its role to adjudicate legal classifications related to armed conflict situations, including genocide; that responsibility rests with recognised international bodies,  including the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court. The statement therefore references the findings and processes of these bodies rather than making independent determinations. It addresses matters within the EAA's direct competence: the protection of archaeological heritage, the integrity of archaeological research, and the safety and freedom of our colleagues in the region, regardless of nationality or affiliation.  It supersedes the existing EAA Statement on Threats to Archaeology and Archaeologists arising from the Israel/Gaza crisis and its updates (versions of March, July and November 2024).

Next steps
We thank the Task Force for its hard work and considered advice to date. Their critical work continues and will result in proposed Statutes amendments, to be communicated to members by end-June. These will include a mechanism for the removal of Executive Board members.

Should you not wish to join us in Athens for any reason, the deadline for cancellations with full refund is 15 May 2026. We recognise that these are complex and consequential decisions, and we very much value the opportunity to discuss them with you in person in Athens. Per rollam voting, as usual, will follow the Annual Meeting and its AMBM and we invite you to vote.

We look forward to seeing you in Athens.

EAA Executive Board