Middle East News
Egypt and Ecuador sign an agreement to protect monuments



Jul 15, 2008, 16:45 GMT


Cairo - Egypt and Ecuador had signed an agreement to protect monuments
and give back stolen items, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of
Antiquities said Tuesday.


Zahi Hawas, who signed the agreement with Ecuadorian Ambassador in Cairo
Miguel Carbo, said the agreement stressed the prevention of illegal
trading in any item that is considered part of the countries' heritage.


The agreement is based on UNESCO's 1972 Convention concerning protection
of the world cultural and natural heritage.


Items in the Egyptian-Ecuadorian agreement include documents and
artefacts that are more than 50 years old. It also includes rare
animals, plants and metals, Hawas said.


Egypt has signed similar agreements with around 10 countries from
different parts of the world. During the past few years, the Egyptian
government has succeeded in bringing back more than 5,000 stolen
antiquities.