The European Commission adopted an action plan against trafficking of cultural goods on 13 December 2022. For 2023-2025, the EU Action Plan will provide a clear, comprehensive and effective framework to the EU’s contribution fighting trafficking of cultural goods.
The Action Plan focuses on four strategic objectives:
- It proposes how to improve prevention and detection of crimes by market participants and cultural heritage institutions.
- It lists actions aiming to strengthening law enforcement and judicial capabilities.
- It proposes how to boost international cooperation on combatting illicit trade.
- It announces measures to raise awareness amongst other key stakeholders to protect cultural goods from crime.
The Action Plan outlines the actions to be implemented by the EU as well as encourages the Member States to put in place solutions to curb trafficking of cultural goods.