Follow Cyprus Investment Immigration and Life in Cyprus: On the 29th, China and Cyprus signed an agreement in Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus, on the prevention of theft, clandestine excavation, and illegal import and export of cultural property. Li Xiaojie, Vice Minister of Culture of China, and Tasos Mitsopoulos, Minister of Communications and Works of Cyprus, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective governments.
The agreement between China and Cyprus on the prevention of theft, clandestine excavation, and illegal import and export of cultural property was initiated in 2008 and covers cultural relics from prehistoric times to the 20th century. The agreement states that both countries will strengthen cooperation in preventing the theft, clandestine excavation, and illegal import and export of cultural property through forms such as information exchange and personnel exchanges.
Tasos stated that the signing of the agreement is of great significance to Cyprus. Cultural relic smuggling has caused serious losses to Cyprus, and this agreement will help prevent the smuggling of Cypriot cultural property out of the country. The Department of Antiquities of Cyprus is under the Ministry of Communications and Works.
Li Xiaojie said that the signing of the agreement is a milestone in the history of cultural exchange between the two countries. The Chinese side will continue to strengthen exchanges and cooperation with the Cypriot side in the field of cultural relics, such as holding mutual cultural relic exhibitions in each other's countries, and will make unremitting efforts to enrich the lives of the people of both countries.