site.btaUNESCO Director General: Curbing Trafficking of Cultural Property Is Priority Because It Funds Extremists' Actions

UNESCO Director General: Curbing Trafficking of Cultural Property Is Priority Because It Funds Extremists' Actions

Sofia, September 16 (BTA) - Curbing the trafficking of cultural property is
probably priority number one because it funds the extremists' actions, UNESCO Director General Irina Bokova said here Wednesday. She was speaking at a conference on fighting the plunder of Syria's cultural heritage, organized by the Norwegian Embassy and the Norwegian Institute for Cultural Heritage Research.

Deputy PM and Interior Minister Roumyana Buchvarova and Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov also took part in the conference.

Bokova said that the destruction of Palmyra's Temple of Bel is an intolerable crime against humanity, because it was a symbol of the intercultural dialogue, a material proof of cultures' ability to influence and enrich each other. Palmyra and this temple represent the idea of humanity united in its diversity, with a common heritage and fate, she noted.

Bokova added that UNESCO undertakes decisive actions against the illicit trafficking of cultural property by uniting all partners, including INTERPOL, the World Customs Organization, museums, the art market, experts, civil society, and scientific circles.

She commented that the EU has very strict legislation related to the illicit export of cultural valuables. "As for the import, we think that the EU and the Member States can do a lot more to strengthen the legislation, regime, coordination, so that this illicit trafficking can be curbed," Bokova said. According to UNESCO, the first important step on the international level is the ratification of the 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property. Bulgaria is an exceptionally active participant in its implementation, she added.

Interior Minister Buchvarova said that the trafficking and destruction of cultural and historical sites located in conflict zones, such as Iraq and Syria, is a phenomenon which is gaining high speed and is regarded as a war crime for a reason. Bulgaria is third in the EU for trafficking of cultural property and a transit territory for trafficking of cultural valuables from the Middle East, she noted. The Bulgarian legislation has been adapted to the new circumstances with a focus on the ban on trans-border trade in antiquities from Syria and Iraq, Buchvarova added.

The competent structures of the Interior Ministry and the Directorate General for Combating Organized Crime focus their efforts not only on the prevention of illicit export and sale of Bulgarian cultural heritage, but also on the complete and lasting neutralization of the crime groups, Buchvarova underscored.

Culture Minister Rashidov said that the fight against trafficking of cultural property will be very difficult if there is no common agreement between the European countries. He also said that the Culture Ministry is working on encouraging and developing the cooperation with NGOs on the problems related to trafficking of cultural property.