Ukraine and the Netherlands have already had the positive experience of
the return of cultural property.
Ambassador of Ukraine to the Netherlands Oleksandr Horin said this in an
exclusive commentary to an Ukrinform correspondent, commenting on the scandal,
involving the paintings stolen from a museum in Friesland in 2005, which
allegedly are in Ukraine now. In particular, the Ambassador recalled the
situation when Ukraine had unilaterally returned the Dutch collection, which
had disappeared during the World War II.
"Ukraine has good reputation in the return of cultural property, in
particular, that of the Netherlands. In 2004, Ukraine unilaterally returned 139
drawings from the Koenigs Collection, which had been lost after the World War
II," he said.
Speaking about the current situation, Horin noted that now the
Government of the Netherlands had no doubt that the paintings would be returned
to their owners if they were found in Ukraine. In particular, such a position
was voiced by Dutch Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Minister Lilian
Ploumen.
The diplomat noted that Ukraine was ready to assist in this matter. At
the same time, the Ambassador stressed that Ukraine needed a formal
investigation at first. According to Horin, Ukraine is waiting for an official
request from the Dutch side at the moment.
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