The Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society adopted in Faro, Portugal in 2005 declares the individual and collective right to cultural heritage as part of universal human rights. The framework convention has been ratified by the Hungarian National Assembly by overwhelming majority.

On 9 July 2012, the Hungarian National Assembly ratified the Council of Europe Framework Convention on the Value of Cultural Heritage for Society with 336 MP votes in favour, 3 abstain and 0 against. The purpose of the international co-operation is to integrate the protection of cultural heritage into public policies in all sectors and at all levels and to raise social awareness.

László L. Simon, Minister of State for Culture of the Ministry of Human Resources highlighted during the general debate of the bill: the framework convention declares the individual and collective right to cultural heritage as part of universal human rights. L. Simon said, it is particularly important that a more efficient preservation of cultural heritage of Hungarian people beyond Hungarian borders becomes possible with the enlargement of the circle of ratifying countries.

The government announced the intention of Hungary to join the framework convention on cultural heritage on 8 June this year. According to the document, Hungary undertakes to take into account the specific character and interests of cultural heritage when devising economic policies, utilises its economic potential, as well as integrates the aspects of cultural heritage into lifelong education and training.

(State Secretariat for Culture)