Acknowledging the excellence of Italy in preservation and conservation, India has sought its assistance in restoration of various heritage monuments and cultural artefacts. This was decided at a meeting between Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Culture of Italy Francesco Rutelli and Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni here on Tuesday. The two met here today in the backdrop of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prody’s visit to the country, scheduled for the second week of February.India and Italy are said to have agreed on co-operating against illegal trafficking of cultural assets, and they would also set up a working group for this purpose. Both countries would work hand-in-hand in facilitating the identification and return of any work of art or cultural property, which enters their territory by illegal means, to the right holders. They have also reached an understanding regarding the administration of their respective museums. It was also pointed out that both India and Italy are looked upon as cultural destinations and there was enormous scope for interaction. Ambika Soni said at the meeting that Italy has much to offer to India, especially in areas of managing cultural patrimony including architectural restoration to tourists services and infrastructure. Italy is one of the top ten tourist-generating markets for the country with more than eighty thousand tourists visiting India annually. The bilateral tourism cooperation agreement between two countries was signed in 2000.The next round of Working Group Meeting in this regard will be held in Italy. Both the countries had agreed to initiate steps for improved flight connectivity between the two countries.The problems regarding Visa was also discussed in the meeting. The Italian Deputy Prime Minister assured India that the system is being streamlined. He also assured that India would be a focus in the Rome Film Festival in October, 2007.
