(Adnkronos) –
Italy and the United States on Tuesday inked an accord on procedures for recovering and repatriating the remains of US military personnel who went missing in action or were taken prisoner during World War II.
The accord lays out standard, simplified procedures for the US defence agency to follow in Italy in collaboration with national authorities through all stages of the process and in line with rules governing archaeological research and the protection of archaeological evidence.
“Today’s agreement reflects the spirit of friendship between Italy and the United States,” said culture minister Alessandro Giuli.
“Thanks to this diplomatic tool, the right to research and to remember war casualties is combined with the protection of archaeological heritage,” Giuli continued.
“We are pleased to strengthen our decades-long cooperation with the US agency for prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action, in a tribute to those who sacrificed their lives for our freedom.”
The memorandum of understanding was signed by the culture ministry’s archaeology and heritage protection department’s director-general, Luigi la Rocca, and US defence agency director, Kelly McKeague.
