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Return of Romanian national treasure illegally appropriated by Russia

TA-9-2024-0171 · P9_TA(2024)0171 · PE760.481

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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 fully return Romania's national treasure sent to Russia in 1916 and 1917, including 91,5 tonnes of fine gold from the National Bank of Romania and cultural, religious and archival goods. It deplores Russia's failure to return the treasure despite bilateral agreements and international law, and notes that only some cultural goods were returned in 1935 and 1956. It asks the Commission to widen EU cultural-goods policy to cover national treasures moved in wartime under bilateral agreements, and to put the treasure's return on the EU-Russia diplomatic agenda when dialogue resumes. It calls on the Commission to work with Romania, the National Bank of Romania and other institutions, and to consider partnering with Romanian representatives in the Romanian-Russian Joint Commission.

Key points

  1. Parliament deplores Russia's failure to fully return Romania's national treasure, as required by official bilateral agreements and international law.
  2. It urges the Russian Federation to fully return the remainder of the treasure sent to Russia for safekeeping in 1916 and 1917.
  3. It recalls that the treasure was entrusted under legally valid documents guaranteeing its return, and that these obligations were disregarded.
  4. It notes that the treasure comprised 91,5 tonnes of fine gold from the National Bank of Romania, royal jewels and coins, and cultural, religious and archival goods.
  5. It states that some cultural, religious and archival goods were returned in 1935 and 1956, but none of the 91,5 tonnes of fine gold have been returned.
  6. It expresses concern that bilateral diplomatic efforts through the Romanian-Russian Joint Commission have met with Russia's refusal to return the treasure.
  7. It highlights that special attention must be paid to preserving Member States' national treasures, as set out in the EU Treaties.
  8. It welcomes EU efforts to protect cultural heritage and combat trafficking in cultural goods, and says unlawfully removed cultural objects must be returned.
  9. It says the Romanian treasure is a special case needing a tailor-made European response, beyond current EU rules on returns between Member States.
  10. It calls on the Commission to expand EU cultural-goods policy to cover national treasures relocated during wartime under bilateral agreements between states.
  11. It calls on the Commission and the European External Action Service to put the treasure's return on the EU-Russia diplomatic agenda once political dialogue resumes.
  12. It calls on the Commission to work with Romania, the National Bank of Romania and other institutions, and to consider partnering with Romanian representatives in the Romanian-Russian Joint Commission.

Who is affected

  • Russia: urged to return the remainder of Romania's national treasure sent in 1916 and 1917.
  • Romania: its national treasure, including 91,5 tonnes of gold and cultural goods, is the subject of the return demand.
  • The Commission: asked to widen EU cultural-goods policy, act on the EU-Russia agenda and work with Romanian institutions.
  • The European External Action Service: asked to include the treasure's return in EU-Russia diplomatic relations.
  • The National Bank of Romania: named as owner of the gold reserves and as a partner for coordinated efforts.

Figures and deadlines

  • 91,5 tonnes of fine gold belonging to the National Bank of Romania's reserves.
  • 1916 and 1917: years the treasure was sent to Russia for safekeeping.
  • 1935 and 1956: years some cultural, religious and archival goods were returned to Romania.
  • 15 years: period during which the Romanian-Russian Joint Commission met only five times, last in 2019.
  • 1 January 1993: date before which current EU legislation covers returns of cultural goods unlawfully removed between Member States.

Legal basis: Articles 6, 36 and 167 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, and the preamble and Article 3(3) of the Treaty on European Union.