In a coordinated effort spanning multiple agencies and borders, U.S. authorities have repatriated 26 ancient artifacts to Greece, marking another step in the ongoing fight against the illicit trade in cultural heritage.

An agreement between Greece and the United States for the return of a private collection of 161 Cycladic figurines was ratified at committee level in Parliament on Monday.

The ministry of culture is claiming that it is waiting for official data from US authorities about the theft of ancient Greek works found in the possession of a US billionaire.