The Federal Council may conclude international treaties (bilateral agreements) on the import and repatriation of cultural property to protect cultural and foreign affairs interests and to secure cultural heritage with countries that have ratified the 1970 UNESCO Convention (Art. 7, para. 1 CPTA).
The Federal Council has already concluded bilateral agreements with Italy (October 20, 2006), Greece (May 15, 2007), Colombia (February 1st, 2010), Egypt (April 14, 2010), Cyprus (January 11, 2013), China (August 16, 2013), Peru (July, 12, 2016), Mexico (August, 24, 2017) and Turkey (November 15, 2022).
The agreement with Italy has been in force since April 27, 2008, with Egypt since February 20, 2011, with Greece since April 13, 2011, with Colombia since August 4, 2011, with China since January 8, 2014, with Cyprus since February 15, 2014 with Peru since October 19, 2016, with Mexico since July 25, 2018 and with Turkey since May 4, 2023. The fact sheet includes additional information.
