Armenia, Greece to cooperate to protect and maintain cultural values

ArmInfo. Armenia and Greece will cooperate in matters related to the preservation of cultural values. The RA Government at its meeting on July 17 approved the  signing of the Armenian-Greek intergovernmental agreement  on "The  Prevention of Destruction, Illegal Excavations, Illegal Import and  Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Values and Their Return  to the Country of Origin".

As noted in the rationale for the draft decision, the signing of the  agreement will be an important step in the development of cooperation  between the two countries in the above-mentioned area. This, in turn,  will contribute to the expansion of mutually beneficial relations.  The signing of the Agreement will contribute to the preservation and  protection of the cultural heritage of the two countries, which  belongs to all mankind, and its proper protection.

As a result of signing the agreement, the necessary measures will be  taken to combat theft, illegal excavation and illegal import, export,  transit or transfer of ownership of cultural property in accordance  with the requirements of the UNESCO Convention on the Means of  Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of  Ownership of Cultural Property.  The Agreement will facilitate the  exchange of information regarding  cases and incidents of theft,  illegal excavation, illegal import, export, transit or transfer of  ownership of cultural property of interest, as well as on the  confiscation of cultural property put up for auction. In accordance  with the Agreement, programs will be implemented  to facilitate the  exchange and training of specialists in  preventing illegal movement,  restitution and the return of cultural property to their respective  countries of origin.