EU to contribute to cultural task force

(ANSA) - Brussels, February 17 - The European Union is ready to contribute to the creation of a task force to be deployed in areas of conflict or natural disaster to protect cultural heritage sites worldwide, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said on Wednesday.
    In a note, Mogherini said that the Italian initiative to set up the task force "paves the way for intervention that will set the example for the whole international community".
    "Defending cultural heritage is a duty from which we cannot back out, a moral obligation towards future generations", stated Mogherini.
    The task force, to include officers from Italy's Carabinieri military police art squad, was set up thanks to an agreement between Italy and UNESCO last year, which was part of the global campaign 'Unite4Heritage' powered by the organization to protect cultural heritage sites.
    It will contribute to a global cultural battle against radicalization and terrorism not only to prevent terror organizations from getting funding through illegal trades but also to preserve artwork worldwide, Mogherini also said.
    "The European Union, which has long worked on cultural diplomacy, is ready to contribute to the Task Force of UNESCO for the preservation of cultural heritage, in cooperation with Italy and other EU member states", concluded the foreign policy chief.