Bulgaria and Italy signed on Monday a memorandum of understanding on countering illegal trafficking of cultural property.

The document was signed by Bulgarian Culture Minister Vezhdi Rashidov and his Italian counterpart Dario Franceschini, private bTV station reports.

Rashidov noted that the memorandum was of extreme importance as both Bulgaria and Italy were countries rich of cultural heritage, which had to cooperate in this area.

Franceschini added that a possibility for the training of Bulgarian police and customs officers was also foreseen.

The two culture ministers also discussed projects for 2019 when the Bulgarian city of Plovdiv and the Italian town of Matera have been designated as European Capitals of Culture.

The idea for organising a great cultural exchange between the two countries is being discussed.

Rashidov and Franceschini are the initiators of a joint declaration of EU culture ministers on safeguarding cultural property, which is being destroyed.

The Bulgarian culture minister stated that it was important for all cultural property to be digitalised as many of it was being irrevocably destroyed.

The main goal of the memorandum is to encourage the exchange of information and experience between Bulgaria and Italy in the legislation on safeguarding the movable cultural property.

The document also aims to stimulate exchange and training of experts working in the field.

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