Council of Europe

The Convention promotes cooperation among European nations in order safeguard cultural property as well as to study and promote European civilization. The cultural property of the parties to the Convention is regarded as part of the common cultural heritage of Europe. The Convention emphasizes the nation as protector of the heritage not only for its own people but also for the wider community. The Convention encourages exchanges of persons and cultural objects and promotes access to cultural resources. States that are not members of the Council of Europe can participate in the Convention.