Odessa, 21 DECEMBER 2016, CONTEXT-Prichernomorie — President Petro Poroshenko gave the Italian side 17 of the paintings stolen in the Museum of Verona, which found the state border service officers in the Odessa region on the island of Turunchuk, the correspondent of IA «Context-Prichernomorie» reports.

It was reported to the agency today, December 21, in the Department on media relations of the Administration of the State Border Service of Ukraine.

According to the Department, today Poroshenko gave 17 paintings by Rubens, Tintoretto, Pisanello, Mantegna and Caroto that were stolen from the Museum of Castelvecchio, Verona city in November 2015.

Art paintings have been found of the State Border Service of Ukraine in May this year in preparation for crossing the territory of Moldova, and thus were saved.

Addressing the audience of the Khanenko Museum, where they still were paintings, Poroshenko congratulated everyone on the completion of all official procedures and the necessary examination and transfer of the rescued masterpieces to the Italian side.

According to the President, today, when these pictures return to Italy, held very fruitful talks, which will set the effective and fraternal relations between the Ukrainian and Italian museums, theatres and this will benefit the friendship between our countries, between Ukrainian and Italian peoples.