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UNESCO’s cultural property recomendations

At the most recent meeting of UNESCO, the discussions between the British Museum & the Greek government [1] were acknowledged.

From:
UNESCO [2]

UN Recomendation on Cultural Property
UNITED NATIONS EDUCATIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND CULTURAL ORGANIZATION
INTERGOVERNMENTAL COMMITTEE FOR PROMOTING THE RETURN OF CULTURAL PROPERTY TO ITS COUNTRIES OF ORIGIN OR ITS RESTITUTION IN CASE OF ILLICIT APPROPRIATION
Fourteenth Session
5-6 June, 2007, Paris

Recommendation No. 1
The Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in case of illicit Appropriation,

Expressing its continuing concern for a resolution to the issue of the Parthenon Marbles,
Acknowledging past UNESCO recommendations on this matter,

1. Takes note of the meeting between the Hellenic and British Ministries of Culture, together with observers from UNESCO and the British Museum, on 4 May 2007 and of the development of a solid and cordial basis for discussions.
2. Acknowledges the good progress in the construction of the new Acropolis Museum, wherein it will be possible for the Parthenon Marbles to be exhibited in direct visual contact with the monument.
3. Thanks the Director-General for facilitating discussions between the Parties which have led to the development of valuable relationships.
4. Invites the Director-General to assist in convening necessary meetings between Greece and the UK with the aim of reaching a mutually acceptable solution towards the effective resolution of the issue of the Parthenon Marbles.

The Greek government has also issued their own response to this recomendation.

From:
Greek Ministry of Culture [3]

Ministry of Culture
Press office
Athens 11 June 2007
PRESS RELEASE

The Intergovernmental Committee for Promoting the Return of Cultural Property to its Countries of Origin or its Restitution in Case of Illicit Appropriation met for its 14th session in Paris on 5 and 6 June. A most important Recommendation was adopted by the Committee during this session.

Thus, according by its Recommendation No 5, the Committee decided that within 2008 an International Conference be held in Greece under the auspices of UNESCO on the return of cultural property to its countries of origin. By committing to this purpose the sum of 50,000 euros, thus emphasising the special importance that it attaches to the work of the Committee, Greece stresses its increased sensitivity on issues related to the illegal traffic of cultural goods and their return to their countries of origin.

The aforementioned Recommendation, proposed by Greece, was unanimously adopted by all the member-states of the Committee. The Recommendation even includes the expression of thanks by the Committee to Greece for its financial contribution to the project.