KYIV. Oct 22 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has lodged a strong protest against the Russian Federation over the archaeological excavations being carried out on the territory of the Alma Valley and in the city of Sevastopol.
"Russia must stop all illegal archaeological excavations and earthwork on the territory of the Alma Valley and in the city of Sevastopol, as well as ensure the proper treatment of all Ukrainian historical and cultural heritage in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine by the Russian Federation, in particular with regard to the strict fulfillment of Russia's obligations in accordance with the provisions of international law," the Foreign Ministry said in a commentary on Thursday.
The ministry said that, in accordance with the provisions of the Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict dated May 14, 1954, Russia must respect valuable cultural artefacts located "on the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine," as well as take necessary measures for their conservation. In addition, the ministry said the recommendations of the General Conference of UNESCO, which defines the principles of international regulation of archaeological excavations, dated December 5, 1956, stipulates that in case of an armed conflict, the state that has occupied the territory of another state must refrain from conducting archaeological excavations on this territory.