Regional Workshop on Combating Illicit Cross-border Trafficking in Cultural Property in South East Europe
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Europe and its neighbourhood are experiencing a dramatic upsurge in the unlawful looting of archaeological sites and illicit cross border smuggling of priceless stolen artwork, archaeological materials and antiquities.Trafficking in cultural property that in most cases is cross-border in its nature, has close linkages to transnational organized crime groups, international money laundering, corruption networks, and terrorist organizations.
Following the recommendations arising from the 2014 Annual Meeting of the OSCE Border Security and Management National Focal Points Network, in 2017 the OSCE Border Security and Management Unit developed the project titled “Combating Illicit Cross-border Trafficking in Cultural Property in the OSCE area”.
Organized as part of this project, this five-day workshop will bring together some 50 participants from the police, border and customs services, and the Ministries of Justice and Culture from South-east Europe and the South Caucasus.
The workshop aims to raise awareness regarding illicit trafficking in cultural property and its impact on security and stability in South-east Europe region. The participants will discuss various methods and best practices from the OSCE perspective and explore best mechanisms and tools that will enable them to respond to this serious transnational threat in a sustainable manner in co-ordination with relevant agencies, international organizations, private sector, and educational institutions.