Cyprus PIO: News Update in English, 01-12-11

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From: The Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office Server at <http://www.pio.gov.cy/>

Tuesday, 11 December 2001

CONTENTS

• [01] Meeting between Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and Oman
• [02] Cyprus is determined to pursue the return of every illegally removed object of its cultural heritage

[01] Meeting between Foreign Ministers of Cyprus and Oman

During their talks, the two Ministers discussed the two countries' bilateral relations, Cyprus' European Union accession course, EU - Gulf relations, Islamic Conference issues and issues of international interest such as the war against terrorism and the Middle East question. Mr Kasoulides also briefed Mr Abdallah on the latest developments in the Cyprus problem.

Mr Abdallah reaffirmed his country's support for the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cyprus. The two Ministers also agreed to keep in contact for future exchanges.

Mr Kasoulides extended an invitation to the Foreign Minister of Oman to visit Cyprus.

[02] Cyprus is determined to pursue the return of every illegally removed object of its cultural heritage

Ambassador Zackheos referred to Cyprus's 9000 year-old civilization and its rich cultural heritage, which provides a unique insight into many civilizations that existed on the island during its long and eventful history and pointed out that many Cyprus artefacts can be viewed in museums throughout the world, while many more have become objects of illicit trafficking, especially those removed illegally from the territory of the island under Turkish occupation since 1974.

"The plundering of the cultural heritage of Cyprus in this area has been so widespread that it led to a decision by the United States, which we warmly welcome, to impose in April 1999, an emergency import restriction on Byzantine ecclesiastical and ritual ethnological material from Cyprus, unless such material is accompanied by an export permit issued by the Government of Cyprus", he said.

"Our determination to investigate the fate and pursue the return of every illegally removed object of our cultural heritage to their rightful owners is unshakable. We look to the international community to extend its solidarity and support in our effort to protect an invaluable part of the cultural heritage of humanity," he added.

Ambassador Zackheos welcomed the creation of the International Fund for the return of Cultural Property by UNESCO and the adoption of an International code of Ethics for Dealers in Cultural Property. Cyprus, as a state party to the 1954 Hague Convention and a signatory of its second protocol adopted in 1999, "follows with interest the work undertaken to address the illicit sale of cultural objects on the Internet and the need for member states to adopt the appropriate international legislation in the field", he said.

He stressed that the combating of illicit trafficking in cultural property, is a task that requires perseverance and multi-faceted collaborative efforts, noting that one of the major areas in this direction is the promotion of the international documentation for recording data of cultural property and the dissemination of information in order to assist in its recovery.

"Cyprus supports all efforts in this regard including the establishment of the UNESCO online network that will include a regularly updated inventory of stolen cultural artefacts, including those removed illegally, from areas of conflict and occupied territories", he concluded.

From the Republic of Cyprus Press and Information Office (PIO) Server at http://www.pio.gov.cy/

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