Moldova will ratify UNESCO Convention to impede illicit operations of import, export and property transfer of cultural goods

The Government has approved the ratification of UNESCO Convention on the measures that are to be undertaken to ban and impede the illicit operations of import, export and property transfer of cultural goods, adopted in Paris on November 14, 1970. The implementation of the Convention will enable to monitor the situation in the field of illicit trading of cultural goods and will stimulate the development of the legal circulation of cultural values at international level, exchange of information and good practices. The opportunity for ratifying this Convention is generated by the strategic objective of Moldova – European integration. Nowadays, 110 states in the world joined the UNESCO Convention, among which the most important for the market of art objects are the USA, France, Japan, the UK, and Russia. With the most of these countries Moldova has close relations of cooperation and cultural exchange. The Convention’s ratification will allow Moldova to benefit from international juridical protection in the field of national cultural patrimony, in light of the fact that the illicit trading with cultural goods has transformed into a cross-border phenomenon. The Convention does not settle compulsory membership fees while the implementation of its provisions will be ensured by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, in cooperation with the International Museum Council, International Criminal Police Organisation (INTERPOL), Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Interior Affairs, Customs Service, General Prosecution Office, museums, archives and specialised institutions.