Press Releases

The international conference “Act for Heritage! Promoting the Council of Europe Convention on Offences relating to Cultural Property within Governments and Civil Society” was successfully concluded on October 26. The Conference was co-organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Commissioner for Volunteerism and Non-Governmental Organizations and the Council of Europe. The Department of Antiquities and other agencies of the Republic of Cyprus also contributed significantly to the Conference.  

The Conference was attended by more than 120 delegates from Council of Europe member states, other countries and international organisations with important work on the field of protecting cultural heritage and combating the illicit trafficking of cultural goods. Speakers included representatives of, inter alia, the Council of Europe, the EU, the World Customs Organization, UNESCO, UNIDROIT and academic institutions. 

It is reported that during the deliberations a number of states informed about the progress in the national process of ratifying the Nicosia Convention, a fact that will allow the prompt entry of the Convention into force. Moreover, the participants drafted specific proposals to promote the Convention and for the protection of cultural heritage.

(EK/SCH)