TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 12-710 

________________________________________________________________________ 

CULTURAL PROPERTY 

 Agreement Between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and CYPRUS 

Extending and Amending the 

Memorandum of Understanding of 

July 16, 2002, as Amended 

 

Effected by Exchange of Notes at 

Washington July 10, 2012 
 NOTE BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE 

 Pursuant to Public Law 89—497, approved July 8, 1966 

(80 Stat. 271; 1 U.S.C. 113)—

“. . .the Treaties and Other International Acts Series issued 

under the authority of the Secretary of State shall be competent 

 evidence . . . of the treaties, international agreements other than 

treaties, and proclamations by the President of such treaties and 

international agreements other than treaties, as the case may be, 

therein contained, in all the courts of law and equity and of maritime 

jurisdiction, and in all the tribunals and public offices of the 

United States, and of the several States, without any further proof 

or authentication thereof.” 
 CYPRUS 

 Cultural Property 

 

 Agreement extending and amending the 

 memorandum of understanding 

 of July 16, 2002, as amended. 

 Effected by exchange of notes at 

 Washington July 10, 2012; 

 Entered into force July 10, 2012; 

 With effect from July 16, 2012. 

 
The Department of State refers the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus to 

the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the United 

States of America and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus Concerning the 

Imposition of Import Restrictions on Pre-Classical and Classical Archaeological 

Objects and Byzantine Period Ecclesiastical and Ritual Ethnological Materials, 

done at Washington July 16, 2002, as amended and extended (hereinafter referred 

to as "the MOU"). 

The Department, on behalf of the Government of the United States of 

America, proposes that, pursuant to Article IV.A of the MOU, the MOU be 

extended for an additional five-year period. 

The Department further proposes that, pursuant to Article IV.B of the 

MOO, the MOU be amended as follows: 

1) The title of the MOU would be amended to read, "Memorandum of 

Understanding Between the Government of the United States of America and the 

Government of the Republic of Cyprus Concerning the Imposition of Import 

Restrictions on Pre-Classical and Classical Archaeological Objects and Byzantine 

and Post-Byzantine Period Ecclesiastical and Ritual Ethnological Materials" to 

reflect the broader scope of ethnological materials to be protected under the MOU 

as hereby amended and extended. 

DIPLOMATIC NOTE 
2) The third paragraph of the Preamble to the MOUwould be amended to 

read, "Desiring to reduce the incentive for pillage of irreplaceable archaeological 

objects and ethnological materials representing the Pre-Classical, Classical, 

Byzantine, and Post-Byzantine periods of Cypriot history." 

3) Article LA of the MOU would be amended to read, "The Government of 

the United States of America, in accordance with its legislation entitled the 

Convention on Cultural Property Implementation Act ("the Act"), will restrict the 

importation into the United States of certain categories of Pre-classical and 

Classical archaeological objects and Byzantine and Post-Byzantine period 

ecclesiastical and ritual ethnological materials to be listed on a Designated List as 

provided by the Act. .. " 

4) Article II would be replaced with the attached amended Article II. 

If the foregoing proposal is acceptable to the Embassy of the Republic of 

Cyprus, the Department proposes that this note, including the enclosed revised 

Article II, and the Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus' note in reply, shall 

constitute an agreement to extend and amend the MOD, which shall enter into 

force on the date of the Embassy's note in reply and shall take effect July 16, 

2012. 

Attachment: 

As stated. 

Department of State, 

Washington, D.C., July 10,2012. 
United States of America - Republic of Cyprus Memorandum of Understanding 

2012 Amended Article II 

A. The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of 

Cyprus should seek to publicize this Memorandum of Understanding and the reasons for it, 

through various means available. 

B. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will expand its efforts to discourage pillage of 

cultural resources, and the unauthorized export of such material, through tourist education 

programs, including posting appropriate warnings at museums, archaeological sites, hotels, 

airports, ports, and cruise ship terminals that draw attention to this Memorandum of 

Understanding and to the cultural heritage protection laws of Cyprus. 

C. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will expand its initiatives to the general public 

in support of the importance of protecting and preserving cultural heritage and discouraging 

looting. 

D. Both Governments agree that, in order for United States import restrictions to be successful 

in deterring pillage, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus will continue to seek similar 

cooperation from countries having a significant import trade in the Cypriot archaeological 

artifacts and ethnological materials covered by this Memorandum of Understanding and will 

strengthen enforcement of its own cultural heritage protection laws. 

E. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will seek to continue its inventory of cultural 

resources in museums, ecclesiastical buildings, private collections, and archaeological sites. 

Every effort should be made also to engage non-governmental organizations in this effort. 

F. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will expedite the development and 

implementation of management plans for the effective protection of those archaeological sites 

that are open to the public. 

G. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will use its best efforts to enforce applicable 

laws and regulations regarding the use of metal detectors. 
H. Recognizing that rapid land development can give rise to pillage, the Government of the 

Republic of Cyprus will continue to use existing techniques such as Geographic Information 

Systems and non-intrusive surveys in planning infrastructure and development to avoid 

destruction of, and continue to enforce vigorously laws concerning damage to, cultural heritage 

during construction and development activities. 

1. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will work with international organizations to 

prevent illegal exports from anywhere on the island. 

1. The Government of the United States of America recognizes that the Government of the 

Republic of Cyprus permits the interchange of archaeological materials for cultural, exhibition, 

educational and scientific purposes to enable widespread public appreciation of and legal 

access to Cyprus' rich cultural heritage. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the 

Government of the United States of America agree to encourage further interchange by: 

1. promoting ongoing discussions about loans of objects of archaeological or artistic 

interest for research and educational purposes by United States and Cypriot museums or 

similar institutions, recognizing the spirit of goodwill that exists between cultural 

institutions in both countries; 

2. promoting through established institutions, such as United States museums and 

universities, opportunities for participation in joint archaeological projects authorized 

by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities; and 

3. promoting agreements for academic exchanges and specific study programs agreed 

upon by Cypriot and United States museums and universities. 

K. The Government of the United States of America will use its best efforts to expand 

professional exchanges in conservation, preservation, and museum administration with Cyprus. 

L. Both parties to this Memorandum of Understanding will continue to support bi-communal 

activity regarding cultural preservation on the island. 
M. Both Governments agree to strengthen and develop the cooperation between their respective 

competent authorities, including law enforcement agencies, for the prevention and combating 

of the destruction, looting, theft and illicit trafficking of objects and materials covered in this 

Memorandum of Understanding, through the exchange of all relevant information and 

experiences, organization of joint training, exchange of experts, and the interchange of 

knowledge regarding best practices in the field. 
NV:25j12 

EMBASSY OF THE REPUBLIC OF CYPRUS 

Washington, D.C. 

Ref: 14.1.5, 3.13.12.1 

The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus presents its compliments to the United States 

Department of State and has the honor to refer to the Latter's Diplomatic Note, dated 

July 10, 2012 concerning the Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government 

of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of Cyprus 

Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Pre-Classical and Classical 

Archaeological Objects and Byzantine Period Ecclesiastical and Ritual Ethnological 

Material done at Washington July 16, 2002, as amended and extended (hereinafter 

referred to as "the MOU"). 

The Embassy, on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, accepts the 

proposal by the Government of the United States of America that, pursuant to Article 

IV.A of the MOU, the MOU be extended for an additional five-year period. 

The Embassy also accepts that, pursuant to Article IV.B of the MoU, and as proposed by 

the Government of the United States, the MoU be amended as follows: 

1) The title of the MOU be amended to read: "Memorandum of Understanding Between 

the Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of 

Cyprus Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on Pre-Classical and Classical 

Archaeological Objects and Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Period Ecclesiastical and 

Ritual Ethnological Materials" to reflect the broader scope of ethnological materials to 

be protected under the MOU as hereby amended and extended. 

2) The third paragraph of the Preamble to the MOU be amended to read: "Desiring to 

reduce the incentive for pillage of irreplaceable archaeological objects and ethnological 

materials representing the Pre-Classical, Classical, Byzantine, and Post-Byzantine 

periods of Cypriot history." 

3) Article I.A of the MOU be amended to read: "The Government of the United States of 

America, in accordance with its legislation entitled the Convention on Cultural Property 

Implementation Act ("the Act"), will restrict the importation into the United States of 

2211 R St., NW., Washington, OL 20008-4082, Tel (202) 462-5772, Fax (202) 483-6710 

wwwcyprusembassynet 
certain categories of Pre-classical and Classical archaeological objects and Byzantine 

and Post-Byzantine period ecclesiastical and ritual ethnological materials to be listed on 

a Designated List as provided by the Act ... " 

4) Article II be replaced with the attached revised Article II. 

The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus accepts that the Department's Note, including 

the attached revised Article II, and the Embassy's Note in reply, shall constitute an 

agreement to extend and amend the MOU, which shall enter into force on the date of 

this reply and shall take effect July 16, 2012. 

The Embassy of the Republic of Cyprus avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the 

United States Department of State the assurances of its highest consideration/, 

Attachment: 

As stated 

To: United States Department of State 

Washington, D.C. 

Washington, D.C. - July 10, 2012 
United States of America - Republic of Cyprus Memorandum of Understanding 

2012 Amended Article II 

A. The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the Republic of 

Cyprus should seek to publicize this Memorandum of Understanding and the reasons for it, 

through various means available. 

B. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will expand its efforts to discourage pillage of 

cultural resources, and the unauthorized export of such material, through tourist education 

programs, including posting appropriate warnings at museums, archaeological sites, hotels, 

airports, ports, and cruise ship terminals that draw attention to this Memorandum of 

Understanding and to the cultural heritage protection laws of Cyprus. 

C. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will expand its initiatives to the general public 

in support of the importance of protecting and preserving cultural heritage and discouraging 

looting. 

D. Both Governments agree that, in order for United States import restrictions to be successful 

in deterring pillage, the Government of the Republic of Cyprus will continue to seek similar 

cooperation from countries having a significant import trade in the Cypriot archaeological 

artifacts and ethnological materials covered by this Memorandum of Understanding and will 

strengthen enforcement of its own cultural heritage protection laws. 

E. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will seek to continue its inventory of cultural 

resources in museums, ecclesiastical buildings, private collections, and archaeological sites. 

Every effort should be made also to engage non-governmental organizations in this effort. 

F. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will expedite the development and 

implementation of management plans for the effective protection of those archaeological sites 

that are open to the public. 

G. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will use its best efforts to enforce applicable 

laws and regulations regarding the use of metal detectors. 

-1-
H. Recognizing that rapid land development can give rise to pillage, the Government of the 

Republic of Cyprus will continue to use existing techniques such as Geographic Information 

Systems and non-intrusive surveys in planning infrastructure and development to avoid 

destruction of, and continue to enforce vigorously laws concerning damage to, cultural heritage 

during construction and development activities. 

I. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus will work with international organizations to 

prevent illegal exports from anywhere on the island. 

1. The Government of the United States of America recognizes that the Government of the 

Republic of Cyprus permits the interchange of archaeological materials for cultural, exhibition, 

educational and scientific purposes to enable widespread public appreciation of and legal 

access to Cyprus' rich cultural heritage. The Government of the Republic of Cyprus and the 

Government of the United States of America agree to encourage further interchange by: 

1. promoting ongoing discussions about loans of objects of archaeological or artistic 

interest for research and educational purposes by United States and Cypriot museums or 

similar institutions, recognizing the spirit of goodwill that exists between cultural 

institutions in both countries; 

2. promoting through established institutions, such as United States museums and 

universities, opportunities for participation in joint archaeological projects authorized 

by the Cyprus Department of Antiquities; and 

3. promoting agreements for academic exchanges and specific study programs agreed 

upon by Cypriot and United States museums and universities. 

K. The Government of the United States of America will use its best efforts to expand 

professional exchanges in conservation, preservation, and museum administration with Cyprus. 

L. Both parties to this Memorandum of Understanding will continue to support bi-communal 

activity regarding cultural preservation on the island. 

-2-
M. Both Governments agree to strengthen and develop the cooperation between their respective 

competent authorities, including law enforcement agencies, for the prevention and combating 

of the destruction, looting, theft and illicit trafficking of objects and materials covered in this 

Memorandum of Understanding, through the exchange of all relevant information and 

experiences, organization of joint training, exchange of experts, and the interchange of 

knowledge regarding best practices in the field. 

-3-