Mexico has recovered 12 archaeological pieces from its pre-classic, classic, and post-classic periods, which had been kept in the Italian cities of Reggio Calabria and Ancona.
The Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) released a statement Wednesday, stating the pieces had been delivered to the Mexican embassy in Italy on Oct. 11.
"The return of these pieces is the result of the close relations that exist between Mexico and Italy in terms of the recovery and return of cultural artifacts," read the statement.
They also highlighted the work of the joint taskforce charged with recovering archaeological, historical and artistic remains illicitly taken from Mexico.
The statement said that Mexico would continue to take all appropriate measures to recover any cultural artifacts illicitly taken out of the country.
"With this act, Mexico confirms its commitment to recover cultural property that is part of our legacy, as well as to collaborate with the international community...to safeguard such goods," it concluded.
In 1972, Mexico joined the UNESCO Convention on the Means of Prohibiting and Preventing the Illicit Import, Export and Transfer of Ownership of Cultural Property.
Source: Xinhua [December 17, 2016]