TREATIES AND OTHER INTERNATIONAL ACTS SERIES 11-119 

________________________________________________________________________ 

CULTURAL PROPERTY 

 Agreement Between the 

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA 

and ITALY 

Amending and Extending 

the Memorandum of Understanding of 

January 19, 2001, 

As Amended and Extended 

Effected by Exchange of Notes at 

Washington January 11, 2011 

with 

Attachment 
 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.” 
 ITALY 

 

 Cultural Property 

 Agreement amending and extending the 

 memorandum of understanding of 

 January 19, 2001, 

 as amended and extended. 

 Effected by exchange of notes at Washington 

 January 11, 2011; 

 Entered into force January 19, 2011. 

 With attachment. 
The Department of State refers the Embassy of the Republic of Italy to the

Memorandum of Understanding Between the Government of the United States of

America and the Government of the Republic of Italy Concerning the Imposition of

Import Restrictions on Categories of Archaeological Material Representing the PreClassical, Classical and Imperial Roman Periods of Italy done at Washington January 19,

2001, and amended and extended January 13, 2006 (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 MOU, the

MOU be amended by replacing Article II with the attached amended Article II.

If the foregoing proposals are acceptable to the Embassy of the Republic of Italy,

the Department proposes that this note, including the attached amended Article II, and the

Embassy of the Republic of Italy's note in reply, shall constitute an agreement to extend

and amend the MOU, which shall enter into force on the date of your note in reply and

shall be effective on January 19, 2011.

Attachment: As stated. rl

Department of State,

Washington, January 11, 2011.

DIPLOMATIC NOTE
ARTICLE II

A. Representatives of the Government of the United States of America and

representatives of the Government of the Republic of Italy shall take appropriate steps to

publicize this Memorandum of Understanding.

B. Despite the budgetary constraints faced by all governments, the Government of

the Republic of Italy agrees to continue to significantly support scientific archaeological

research, protection of archaeological patrimony, and protective measures for

archaeological excavations at known sites, particularly in areas at greatest risk from

looters.

C. The Government of the United States recognizes the outstanding work of the

Government of the Republic of Italy to protect its cultural patrimony with respect to the

1970 UNESCO Convention. The Government of the Republic of Italy shall continue its

efforts to:

1. ensure the prompt prosecution of looters,

2. strengthen, in whatever ways necessary, the Carabinieri Special Unit for the

Protection of Artistic Patrimony, and

3. create and pursue innovative and effective ways to detect and stop the looting

of archaeological sites.

D. The Government of the Republic of Italy shall use its best efforts to stop the illicit

use of metal detectors in archaeological areas.

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

of the Republic of Italy permits the interchange of archaeological materials for cultural,

exhibition, educational and scientific purposes to enable widespread public appreciation

of and legal access to Italy's rich cultural heritage. The Government of the Republic of

Italy and the Government of the United States of America agree to encourage .further

interchange through:

1. entering into discussions about how to increase the number and overall length

of long-term loans of objects of archaeological or artistic interest for research and

educational purposes, agreed upon, on a case by case basis, by American and

Italian museums or similar institutions, recognizing the spirit of goodwill that

exists between cultural institutions in both countries;

2. encouraging American museums and universities to propose and participate in

joint excavation projects authorized by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and

Activities, with the understanding that certain of the scientifically excavated

objects from such projects could be given as a loan to the American participants

through specific agreements with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities;

and

3. promoting agreements for academic exchanges and specific study programs

agreed upon by Italian and American museums and universities.

F. The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the

Republic of Italy shall use their best efforts to facilitate appropriate contacts among U.S.
and Italian museums and institutions for the development of increased and extended loans

of Italy's archaeological cultural patrimony to U.S. museums.

G. Noting that the law of Italy, as it currently stands, allows the purchase of

archaeological objects of verified legal provenance, the Government of the Republic of

Italy and the Government of the United States will discuss and explore ways to facilitate

the legal export of such objects.

H. The discussions mentioned above in paragraphs E. and G. will take place during

the first half of the year 2011.
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The Embassy of the Republic of Italy presents its compliments to the U.S. Department of

State and wishes to refer to the Department of State's note dated January 11, 2011, regarding the

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

the Government of the Republic of Italy Concerning the Imposition of Import Restrictions on

Categories of Archaeological Material Representing the Pre-Classical, Classical and Imperial

Roman Periods of Italy done at Washington January 19, 2001, and amended and extended

January 13, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as "the MOU").

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Italy, the Embassy of the Republic of

Italy hereby states its acceptance of the proposal to extend the MOU for an additional five-year

period, as well as to replace Article II of the MOU with the amended Article II attached to the

above-mentioned note (also attached hereto).

Therefore, this Note and the Department of State's note of January 11, 2011, constitute

an agreement to extend and amend the MOU, which shall enter into force on January 19, 2011.

On behalf of the Government of the Republic of Italy, the Embassy of the Republic of

Italy avails itself of this opportunity to renew to the U.S. Department of State, the assurances of

its highest consideration. G.

Attachment: As stated.

Embassy of the Republic of Italy,

Washington, January 11, 2011.
ARTICOLO II

A. Rappresentanti del Governo degli Stati Uniti d'America e Rappresentanti del Governo della

Repubblica Italiana prenderanno le misure opportune per pubblicizzare questo Memorandum

d'Intesa.

B. Nonostante i vincoli di bilancio ai quali tutti i governi devono far fronte, it Governo della

Repubblica Italiana concorda a proseguire in modo significativo it sostegno alla ricerca archeologica

scientifica, alla tutela del patrimonio archeologico e alle misure di protezione degli scavi archeologici

nei siti conosciuti, in particolare nelle aree a maggior rischio di scavi abusivi.

C. II Governo degli Stati Uniti prende atto del notevole impegno del Governo della Repubblica

Italiana nel proteggere it proprio patrimonio culturale, nel rispetto della Convenzione dell'UNESCO del

1970. II Governo della Repubblica Italiana proseguira i suoi sforzi per:

1. assicurare it tempestivo perseguimento di chi effettua scavi abusivi.

2. rafforzare, nei modi piii opportuni, l'Unita Speciale dei Carabinieri per la Protezione del

Patrimonio Artistico, e

3. sviluppare ed attuare dei metodi nuovi ed efficaci per scoprire eventuali ulteriori asportazioni

abusive da siti archeologici e porvi fine.

D. II Governo della Repubblica Italiana fard quanto in suo potere per bloccare l'uso illecito dei

rilevatori di metalli nelle aree archeologiche.

E. II Governo degli Stati Uniti d'America prende atto che it Governo della Repubblica Italiana

permette l'interscambio di materiali archeologici con finalita culturali, espositive, educative e

scientifiche per consentire un'ampia fruizione pubblica e un approccio legittimo al ricco patrimonio

culturale italiano. II Governo della Repubblica Italiana e it Governo degli Stati Uniti d'America

concordano nell' incoraggiare ulteriori interscambi:

1. Avviando discussioni su come accrescere it numero e la durata complessiva di prestiti a lungo

termine di oggetti d'interesse archeologico o artistico per finalita di ricerca e di studio,

concordati, caso per caso, da musei americani e italiani o da istituzioni simili, nel riconoscimento

dello spirito di buona volonta esistente tra le istituzioni culturali di entrambi i paesi;

2.incoraggiando le university e i musei americani a proporre e a partecipare a progetti di scavo

congiunti autorizzati dal Ministero per i Beni e le Attivita Culturali, nell'intesa che una parte dei

manufatti scavati scientificamente in tali progetti potrebbe essere concessa in prestito alla

controparte americana a seguito di accordi specifici con it Ministero per i Beni e le Attivita

Culturali;

3.promuovendo accordi per scambi accademici e per specifici programmi di studio concordati

tra university e musei italiani e americani.

F. Il Governo degli Stati Uniti d'America e it Governo della Repubblica Italiana faranno quanto in

loro potere per facilitare idonei contatti tra i musei e le Istituzioni americane ed italiane per l'aumento

dei prestiti, e per l'incremento della durata dei prestiti a lungo termine, del patrimonio archeologico e

culturale italiano a musei americani.
G. Prendendo atto the la vigente legislazione italiana consente l'acquisto di oggetti archeologici di

accertata provenienza lecita, it Governo della Repubblica Italiana e it Governo degli Stati Uniti

d'America discuteranno ed esploreranno metodi per facilitare l'esportazione legale di tali oggetti.

H. Le discussioni di cui sopra, ai paragrafi E. e G., avranno luogo durante la prima meta del 2011.
ARTICLE II

A. Representatives of the Government of the United States of America and

representatives of the Government of the Republic of Italy shall take appropriate steps to

publicize this Memorandum of Understanding.

B. Despite the budgetary constraints faced by all governments, the Government of

the Republic of Italy agrees to continue to significantly support scientific archaeological

research, protection of archaeological patrimony, and protective measures for

archaeological excavations at known sites, particularly in areas at greatest risk from

looters.

C. The Government of the United States recognizes the outstanding work of the

Government of the Republic of Italy to protect its cultural patrimony with respect to the

1970 UNESCO Convention. The Government of the Republic of Italy shall continue its

efforts to:

1. ensure the prompt prosecution of looters,

2. strengthen, in whatever ways necessary, the Carabinieri Special Unit for the

Protection of Artistic Patrimony, and

3. create and pursue innovative and effective ways to detect and stop the looting

of archaeological sites.

D. The Government of the Republic of Italy shall use its best efforts to stop the illicit

use of metal detectors in archaeological areas.

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

of the Republic of Italy permits the interchange of archaeological materials for cultural,

exhibition, educational and scientific purposes to enable widespread public appreciation

of and legal access to Italy's rich cultural heritage. The Government of the Republic of

Italy and the Government of the United States of America agree to encourage further

interchange through:

1. entering into discussions about how to increase the number and overall length

of long-term loans of objects of archaeological or artistic interest for research and

educational purposes, agreed upon, on a case by case basis, by American and

Italian museums or similar institutions, recognizing the spirit of goodwill that

exists between cultural institutions in both countries;

2. encouraging American museums and universities to propose and to participate

in joint excavation projects authorized by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and

Activities, with the understanding that certain of the scientifically excavated

objects from such projects could be given as a loan to the American participants

through specific agreements with the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities;

and

3. promoting agreements for academic exchanges and specific study programs

agreed upon by Italian and American museums and universities.

F. The Government of the United States of America and the Government of the

Republic of Italy shall use their best efforts to facilitate appropriate contacts among U.S.
and Italian museums and institutions for the development of increased and extended loans

of Italy's archaeological cultural patrimony to U.S. museums.

G. Noting that the law of Italy, as it currently stands, allows the purchase of

archaeological objects of verified legal provenance, the Government of the Republic of

Italy and the Government of the United States will discuss and explore ways to facilitate

the legal export of such objects.

H. The discussions mentioned above in paragraphs E. and G. will take place during

the first half of the year 2011.