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

On the return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

B-9-2024-0171

on behalf of The Left Group · Rapporteur: Martina Michels

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

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Parliament adopted a resolution calling for the return of the Romanian national treasure held in Russia, including gold sent to Moscow in 1916. It recognises legitimate cultural heritage claims of EU countries such as Greece and Romania, and stresses that all items, artefacts or gold of the treasure located in Russia must be returned. It calls for continued bilateral negotiations between Romania and Russia with UNESCO involvement and mediation, and for the EU, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the OSCE to jointly support heritage protection. It warns that long time periods and legitimate claims must not be used to stall the process or to increase tensions between states.

Key points

  1. Recognises that many non-EU cultures have had heritage plundered and that EU countries including Greece and Romania have legitimate claims on heritage outside their territories.
  2. Stresses that all possible items, artefacts or gold of the Romanian national treasure located in Russia must be returned.
  3. Calls for continued bilateral negotiations between Romania and Russia on the matter, with the involvement and mediation of UNESCO.
  4. Highlights international law as a key tool to promote understanding and mutually beneficial relations between states.
  5. Recognises the challenges of returning cultural heritage after long periods but says these must not be used to avoid or stall the process.
  6. Underlines that legitimate cultural heritage claims must not be misused to increase tensions between states or exacerbate conflicts.
  7. Welcomes UNESCO's central role in protecting cultural heritage and promoting culture as an instrument for dialogue.
  8. Calls for the EU, UNESCO, the Council of Europe and the OSCE to jointly encourage and support efforts to safeguard cultural and religious heritage.
  9. Stresses the importance of protecting cultural heritage and avoiding austerity, negligence and lack of restoration of historical monuments.
  10. Recognises that heritage legislation in Europe is not always applied the same way in all Member States and that lack of financial support and human resources may harm cultural heritage.

Who is affected

  • Romania: its national treasure held in Russia, including gold, is the subject of the call for return.
  • Russia: called on to return the Romanian treasure and to continue bilateral negotiations.
  • UNESCO: asked to be involved in and mediate the negotiations and to support heritage protection.
  • EU, Council of Europe and OSCE: called on to jointly support efforts to safeguard cultural and religious heritage.
  • Member States: their heritage legislation and financial and human resources for cultural heritage are addressed.

Figures and deadlines

  • 1916: year the National Bank of Romania decided to relocate the treasure to Moscow.
  • 12 to 14 December 1916: dates when approximately 1 738 boxes of Romanian gold were loaded onto railway wagons in Iași.
  • 1935: year the Soviet Union returned 1 443 boxes with broken seals, containing archives, documents, books and religious objects but no gold.
  • 2004: year the Joint Intergovernmental Commission between Romania and Russia was formed.