Chair: Friedrich SCHIPPER, Austria
Illegal excavations of important archaeological sites, the looting of ancient cultural sites and robbing artifacts from churches and museums take place all over the world. Scientific investigation of, the conservation of and the public access to our common cultural heritage is increasingly endangered. The turnover of illicit trade in cultural assets must be calculated in billions and, at the same time, matches the dimensions of illicit trade in arms, drugs, labor and sex slaves as well as rare and endangered animals. The damage to cultural property is inestimable. During the last few years, even Austria has developed into a major trading center, between east and west, of illicitly obtained artifacts.
On the occasion of Bulgaria and Romania becoming a full member of the European Union in 2007 (Jan. 1), we want to discuss the status quo of cultural heritage protection in these two countries: 1. national legislation, implementation of international conventions, bilateral agreements etc., 2. governmental, scientific and non governmental bodies, 3. the current state of archaeological and cultural sites and museums, 4. the problem of illicit trade in antiquities, 5. major challenges in protecting and preserving national heritage, as it relates to the EU and to Austria in particular.