EU countries failing to protect cultural heritage

The European Commission issued in July 2016 a reasoned opinion - the second stage of an infringement procedure - against several member states over their failure to transpose the Directive on the restitution of cultural items that have been unlawfully removed for another EU country.

The review of Directive 93/7/EEC was proposed by the European Commission in May 2013, following an assessment of the limits of its effectiveness. The Coreper endorsed the informal agreement reached with the European Parliament on the draft law in February 2014, and so did the parliament in April. The Council formally adopted the revised Directive in May.

• Primary Source

ESO: Background information: Return of illegally removed cultural objects http://www.europeansources.info/record/return-of-illegally-removed-cultural-objects/

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