On the return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

B90171/2024

European Parliament resolution on the return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

(2024/2605(RSP))

The European Parliament,

– having regard to the Hague Convention of 1954 for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict and its Second Protocol on enhanced protection of cultural property,

– having regard to the UNESCO Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage of 16 November 1972,

– having regard to the UNESCO Declaration Concerning the Intentional Destruction of Cultural Heritage of 17 October 2003,

– having regard to Rule 132(2) of its Rules of Procedure,

A. whereas in 1916, the National Bank of Romania, under pressure from the Central Powers, which occupied most of Romania at that time, decided to relocate Romania’s treasure to Moscow, to ensure its preservation;

B. whereas between 12 and 14 December 1916, approximately 1 738 boxes, in which the Romanian gold was stored in bars and coins, were loaded onto railway wagons in the unoccupied city of Iași;

C. whereas in 1935, the then Soviet Union returned 1 443 boxes with broken seals, filled with old archives, documents, books and religious objects, but no gold;

D. whereas the Assembly of the Council of Europe has called on the Russian authorities to continue efforts to rapidly settle outstanding issues regarding the return of cultural and other property, through direct negotiation with the countries concerned;

E. whereas during 2023, the Governor of the National Bank of Romania started a campaign to put on international agendas, including that of the European Parliament, the issue of Romania’s treasure sent to Moscow in 1916;

F. whereas a Joint Intergovernmental Commission formed in 2004 by Romania and Russia is currently the only bilateral forum agreed by both governments to discuss the topic;

G. whereas tensions continue between Russia and the West over Ukraine;

H. whereas cultural heritage can have a key role in promoting peace by fostering tolerance, intercultural and interfaith dialogue and mutual understanding; whereas the protection and safeguarding of cultural heritage during periods of conflict and crises is therefore of major importance in the solution of conflicts and in sustainable peace;

1. Recognises that numerous non-EU cultures have seen their heritage plundered, and that EU countries, including Greece and Romania, have legitimate claims on their cultural heritage that is located outside their respective national territories;

2. Stresses that all possible items, artefacts or gold of the Romanian national treasure located in Russia must be returned;

3. Calls for a continuation of the bilateral negotiations between Romania and Russia on the matter, with the involvement and mediation of UNESCO;

4. Highlights also the importance of international law as a key tool to promote understanding and mutually beneficial relations between states;

5. Recognises the challenges and complexities of returning cultural heritage after long time periods but stresses that these should not be instrumentalised as reasons to avoid or stall the process;

6. Underlines that legitimate claims of cultural heritage must not be misused or instrumentalised to increase tensions between states or to create or exacerbate existing conflicts or geopolitical tensions;

7. Welcomes the central role played by UNESCO in protecting cultural heritage and promoting culture as an instrument to bring people closer together and foster dialogue;

8. Calls for the EU, UNESCO, the Council of Europe, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe to jointly encourage and support efforts aimed at safeguarding cultural and religious heritage;

9. Stresses the importance of protecting cultural heritage; recognises the need to avoid austerity, negligence, lack of restoration of historical monuments and other circumstances that may affect already fragile infrastructure protecting human and material heritage;

10. Recognises that existing heritage legislation in Europe is not always applied in the same way in all Member States and recognises that there are cases where the absence of proper financial support and human resources may be detrimental for cultural heritage;

11. Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, the Commission, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, the Governments and Parliaments of Member States, and the Governments of Russia and Romania.