Standart News

- Capt. Romano, this year the Italian Carabinieri have gained the respect and sympathy of the Bulgarian people. On two occasions the Italian special services have called to the Bulgarian authorities to collect Bulgarian antiques confiscated in Italy. This is a precedent in the history of our two countries.
- We are firmly convinced in that all confiscated antiques and cultural artifacts should be returned to their country of origin. Being the country with the largest number of cultural and historic monuments in Europe, Italy has been the hardest hit by the raids of black archaeologists. It is naive to think that any country in the world is capable of dealing with the international trafficking in antiques on its own.
Cooperation with the police authorities of the other EU member states, as well as with the police authorities of all non-European countries, is among the chief priorities of Italy's interior minister. We need the active cooperation of the Bulgarian authorities and we shall be punctual.
- Do you really have the richest information sources in Europe?
- We have a full catalogue of the Italian cultural and historic heritage in text and photos, which we don't stop fulfilling.
- Is it true that your unit is subordinate to Italy's Ministry of Culture?
- Part of it, yes, and this is how it should be. Practice proves the effectiveness of this formula. Bulgaria has laid the foundations of a similar structure.
- Who are the biggest collectors in Italy? Are they businessmen, politicians or mafiosi?
- There isn't a simple answer to this question. To put it shortly: these are people of financial power and good taste. I myself feel respect for the collectors for they are the people who preserved Italy's national wealth.
- Does this mean that in your opinion the registration of the private collections is a must?
- I don't really see an alternative as regards the draining of national riches from the different countries.

Bozhidar Dimitrov