Brussels, 29/11/2011 (Agence Europe) - Given the rising concern about increasing illegal trade in high cultural properties such as paintings, sculptures, religious property and archaeological pieces, the territory of the European Union, with an internal market without borders and a great cultural and historical heritage, is particularly affected. The European Commission therefore launched a public consultation on Tuesday 29 November on ways to improve the safe-keeping of cultural goods and the return between member states of national treasures unlawfully removed from their territory. The protection of cultural property relies to a great extent on the legislation of the member states. Nevertheless, the European Union also contributes to its protection, notably by means of Directive 93/7/EEC, which establishes a mechanism for the return of certain national treasures that have been unlawfully removed from the territory of a member state after 1993. It also seems that cooperation and the exchange of information among the competent national authorities should be improved. The consultation is open until 5 March 2012.
Interested parties can send their contributions to the following address: http://ec.europa.eu/ enterprise/policies/single-market-goods/regulated-sectors/cultural-goods/ (EH/transl.fl)