Italian and Russian experts discussed the ways to protect cultural valuables

The III External Conference under the auspices of the St. Petersburg International Juridical Forum was held in Rome on March 22nd. Italian and Russian experts discussed, among other things, the issues of legal protection of the monuments of culture and art. Academician Andrey Lisitsyn-Svetlanov, Director of the Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Senior Partner of the Law Firm "YUST", spoke at the event.

The first session “Justice and Economy: reforming the business environment in the Russian Federation” was presided over by Yury Liubimov, Deputy Minister of Justice of the Russian Federation. Representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development of Italy, of the Higher Court of Arbitration of the Russian Federation, of the “Confindustria” confederation (Italy), of the Federal Tax Service of Russia. At the end of the session, representatives of Indesit company, of Pavia e Ansaldo Italian law firm and Enel OGK-5, one of the leaders of the Russian energy sector, shared their practical experience.

Michele Vietti, Vice President of the Supreme Council of Magistracy (the highest constitutional instance) of Italy, pointed out: “Our countries need to exchange solutions. This enriches our experience and improves the functioning of the judicial system in both states. Our states stand ready to modernize their judicial systems, and we have a program of exchange of judges, which facilitates cooperation in this area”.

Within the framework of the second session “Protection of cultural heritage: legal regulation in the Russian Federation and Italy”, the most prominent specialists on the matter delivered speeches: representatives of the Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Cultural Activity of Italy, of the Institute of State and Law of the Russian Academy of Sciences, as well as Lorenzo Casini, Professor of the La Sapienza University of Rome.

Andrey Lisitsyn-Svetlanov delivered a report on the legal regulation of international circulation of cultural valuables. The report indicated the significance of the problem of protection of the valuables, of the problem of adequate jurisdiction establishment and the applicable law on disputes involving cultural heritage objects, which are public property, as well as the significance of international agreements as an instrument capable of resolving the conflict situations faced by the practice lately.

The program of the Conference along with additional materials is available at the organizers’ website and twitter.