Kathmandu, Jan. 8 -- Nepal and the United States on Thursday signed a landmark bilateral Cultural Property Agreement (CPA) aimed at safeguarding Nepal's rich cultural heritage and preventing the illicit trafficking of cultural property.

The agreement was signed by US Ambassador to Nepal Dean R Thompson and Suresh Suras Shrestha, joint secretary at the ministry of culture, tourism and civil aviation (MoCTA).

Under the pact, the United States will, in line with its legislation, restrict the import of certain archaeological and ethnological materials from Nepal unless accompanied by a valid export certificate issued by the Government of Nepal, read a press note issued by the US Embassy in Kathmandu on Thursday.

The agreement covers archae...