Egypt and Ecuador had signed an agreement to protect monuments and give back stolen items, the head of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities said Tuesday, according to dpa. Zahi Hawas, who signed the agreement with Ecuadorian Ambassador in Cairo Miguel Carbo, said the agreement stressed the prevention of illegal trading in any item that is considered part of the countries' heritage. The agreement is based on UNESCO's 1972 Convention concerning protection of the world cultural and natural heritage. Items in the Egyptian-Ecuadorian agreement include documents and artefacts that are more than 50 years old. It also includes rare animals, plants and metals, Hawas said. Egypt has signed similar agreements with around 10 countries from different parts of the world. During the past few years, the Egyptian government has succeeded in bringing back more than 5,000 stolen antiquities.
