The restitution underscores cooperation between Switzerland and Egypt in protecting cultural heritage, as well as Switzerland’s commitment to combating the illicit transfer of cultural property. Since the bilateral agreement between the two countries on the import, transit and return of cultural property entered into force in 2011, Switzerland has returned around 80 items of cultural property to Egypt.
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Report·Medien, Kultur, Service public·Document finding
Switzerland returns a significant item of cultural property to Egypt
Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider handed an Egyptian funerary mask from the 2nd century BC to the Egyptian ambassador to Switzerland, Mohamed Yehia Mohamed Negm. The cultural property had been seized in Switzerland in the course of criminal proceedings. It was officially handed over to the Egyptian authorities at a ceremony at the Beatrice von Wattenwyl House in Bern. A representative of the Egyptian Ministry of Antiquities was also present.