The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Kingdom of Cambodia (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) believe that furthering bilateral cooperation for protection of cultural property against looting and illicit trafficking serves as an important means to forge closer bilateral relations, and as an effective approach to fulfill the mission for protection of cultural heritage of mankind.
Noting that looting of archaeological sites of historical and cultural value and illicit trafficking of cultural property pose serious threats to the cultural heritage of mankind;
Recognizing the fundamental importance of protecting and preserving their cultural heritage in accordance with the principles and regulations established in the UNESCO 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property and the UNESCO 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage, and 1995 UNIDROIT Convention;
Desiring to establish common rules for restitution of cultural property that has been illegally looted and/or exported outside the country where they belong, as well as to protect and preserve them;
Both Parties have reached the following agreement:
Article 1
The Parties agree to collaborate in adopting preventive, mandatory and remedial measures to combat unlawful and criminal practices concerning looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property in accordance with their respective domestic laws.
Article 2
Article 3
The Parties shall broaden exchanges and trainings of personnel for the prevention of looting and illicit trafficking of cultural property, especially in safety management, administration of markets and import and export of cultural property, drafting of related laws, information collection and coordination on international matters concerning cultural property.
Article 4
For the purpose of this Agreement, the Parties shall enhance coordination to further improve their respective systems for export license and registration of cultural property, sharing information on stolen cultural property and supervising import of cultural property.
Article 5
Relevant organizations of the Parties designated in accordance with Article 2 shall solve, through consultation, problems concerning expenses occurring during the implementation of this Agreement and reasonable compensation for returning cultural property that have been looted and illegally trafficked outside their country.
Article 6
Article 7
This Agreement shall enter into force on the date of signature and remain valid for a period of 5 (five) years.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, being duly authorized by their respective Governments have signed this Agreement.
DONE in Manila, Philippines, on this 6th day of December 2017 in duplicate in English language.
Representative of
(Sgd.) VIRGILIO S. ALMARIO |
Representative of
(Sgd.) PRAK SOKHONN
|
Entry into Force: December 6, 2017