The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Greece and China introduces bilateral cooperation to combat the theft, illegal excavation, import and export of cultural property, in accordance with the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property (1970).
The MoU outlines strategies and measures to prevent the theft of cultural property and to combat illicit trafficking. This includes cooperation in intelligence sharing, monitoring the art market, and implementing measures to identify and recover stolen cultural items. It also encourages the exchange and training of personnel in the field of the prevention of theft, illegal excavation and illicit import and export of cultural property.
Finally, the Parties agree to collaborate for the return of important objects and/or parts or fragments of major cultural heritage sites to their country (Greece or China) even if the 1970 UNESCO Convention does not cover these cases.
Law 3914/2011 ratifies the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Culture of the Hellenic Republic and the State Administration of Cultural Heritage of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation in the prevention of theft, illegal excavation, import and export of cultural property.
