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MOTION FOR A RESOLUTION (2024/2605(RSP))

On the return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

B-9-2024-0170

on behalf of the ECR Group · Rapporteur: Cristian Terheş, Anna Fotyga, Kosma Złotowski, Witold Jan Waszczykowski, Anna Zalewska, Jadwiga Wiśniewska, Adam Bielan, Eugen Jurzyca

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 26 Sept 2026

Written by a language model from the full text only; every figure comes from the text. The paragraph links open the paragraph a statement rests on — check the text itself before relying on it.

Parliament's resolution calls on Russia to immediately and unconditionally return the Romanian national treasure, a collection of cultural, religious and historical objects including gold treasure weighing 91.48 tonnes, held since 1918. It asks the Commission, Council, EEAS and High Representative to assist Romania, impose penalties and collect interest from Russia, and to include cultural restitution in EU external action. It also urges Russia to return works of art stolen from Poland, calls for a 'once stolen – always stolen' approach, and asks the Commission to present a strategy for restitution of Romania's archives and treasure. It calls for EU cooperation with the UN and UNESCO to locate and recover looted art, and for EU institutions to protect cultural heritage and combat illicit trafficking.

Key points

  1. Expresses grave concern over the Romanian national treasure, held unlawfully by Russia for over a century, and deplores this.
  2. Urges Russia to immediately and unconditionally return the treasure to Romania and pay penalties and interest accrued.
  3. Takes note of efforts by the Romanian Government and National Bank of Romania to seek restitution through diplomacy and international cooperation.
  4. Recalls that cultural heritage is integral to national identity and condemns unlawful removal and trafficking of cultural objects.
  5. Urges Russia to return works of art stolen from Poland and calls on the international community to support Poland's 20 restitution claims.
  6. Reminds Russia that plunder of cultural goods has no statute of limitation and calls on the Commission to adopt a 'once stolen – always stolen' approach.
  7. Welcomes Member States' efforts to return cultural works and calls on the Commission and EEAS to support them in negotiations with non-EU countries.
  8. Calls on the Commission, Council, EEAS and High Representative to assist Romania, including measures to impose penalties and collect interest from Russia.
  9. Calls on the Commission and Council to incorporate cultural considerations and restitution of national heritage in EU external actions, particularly regarding Russia.
  10. Calls for EU cooperation with the UN and UNESCO to help Member States locate and recover looted art and national treasure.
  11. Calls on UNESCO and other organisations to help secure the return of cultural items looted in the First and Second World Wars.
  12. Calls on the Commission to present a strategy for restitution of Romania's archives and national treasure still in Russia, and for EU institutions to protect cultural heritage and combat illicit trafficking.

Who is affected

  • Russia: urged to return the Romanian national treasure and Polish works of art, and to pay penalties and interest.
  • Romania: its government and National Bank seek restitution; EU institutions asked to assist.
  • Poland: its 20 restitution claims to Russia for stolen objects are supported.
  • European Commission, Council, EEAS and High Representative: asked to assist Romania and include cultural restitution in external action.
  • UNESCO and other international organisations: called on to help return looted cultural items.

Figures and deadlines

  • 91.48 tonnes: weight of the gold treasure in the Romanian national treasure.
  • over EUR 5 billion: value of the Romanian national treasure today.
  • early 1918: when the new Soviet Government severed diplomatic relations with Romania and confiscated the treasure.
  • 2003 and 2019: period when the Romanian-Russian Joint Commission on restitution was active.
  • over 516 000: works of art from Poland stolen or damaged during the Second World War.
  • about 20: requests submitted by Poland to Russia for return of stolen items.
  • seven paintings: included in Poland's September 2022 formal restitution request to Russia.

Legal basis: Articles 6 and 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (TFEU).