Baghdad – The President of the Republic, Abdul Latif Jamal Rashid, signed today, Friday, Iraq’s accession to the 2001 conventions for the protection of cultural heritage and the Unidroit Convention for the return of stolen cultural objects.
A Presidential statement stated, “The President of the Republic signed, in the presence of the Minister of Culture, Tourism and Antiquities, Ahmed Fakak Al-Badrani, Iraq’s accession to the two agreements (2001 for the protection of underwater cultural heritage, and the 1995 Unidroit of the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law regarding stolen or illegally exported cultural objects), approved by the President of the Republic.
The statement added, “The President of the Republic authorized the Minister of Culture to deposit the mandate with the relevant parties and coordinate with the head of the Iraqi diplomatic mission in the French capital, Paris, and the permanent representative of the Republic of Iraq to UNESCO.”
The President of the Republic affirmed during the signing ceremony, which was attended by the head of the Antiquities and Heritage Authority, Laith Majeed Hussein, according to the statement, that “Iraq’s accession to the two important agreements aims to protect Iraq’s cultural heritage, and Iraq’s determination to recover the antiquities that were stolen or smuggled out of Iraq.” /End
Source: National Iraqi News Agency
