DNA

ISLAMABAD, OCT 2: An exhibition showcasing the so-called “Crimean gold” in Islamabad has sparked renewed discussion about another historic treasure dispute: Romania’s long-unreturned National Treasury, transferred to Russia during the First World War.

In 1916 and 1917, as war threatened Romanian territory, the Romanian state entrusted its National Treasury to Imperial Russia, then an ally, for safekeeping. The transfer was officially documented and accompanied by guarantees that the assets would be protected and returned after the conflict.

The shipment included 91.5 tonnes of fine gold belonging to the reserves of the National Bank of Romania, along with royal jewelry, rare coins, state archives, manuscripts, paintings, rare books, religious artifacts and other cultural treasures representing centuries of Romanian heritage.

While some cultural, religious and archival objects were returned in 1935 and 1956, the gold reserves have never been returned to Romania.

The issue gained renewed international attention in March 2024 when the European Parliament adopted a resolution describing the case as an “unparalleled international case of illegal appropriation of gold reserves and heritage objects.” The resolution affirmed Romania’s legal claim to the treasury and called on the Russian Federation to return the remaining assets.

European lawmakers also urged the European Commission and the European External Action Service to keep the matter on the diplomatic agenda in future relations with Russia and to pursue efforts aimed at securing the treasury’s return.

More than a century after the transfer, Romania continues to seek the recovery of its missing gold reserves. Supporters of Romania’s position argue that discussions about cultural heritage and ownership should also address historical disputes that remain unresolved.

As debates surrounding the ownership of historical treasures continue, Romania maintains that the wartime treasury entrusted to Russia remains its rightful property and should be returned in full.