The National Bank of Romania, in collaboration with MEP Eugen Tomac, organized at the European Parliament an exhibition about the Romanian Treasure held by Russia and which has not been returned to our country for over a hundred years.

It is a unique case in history and Bucharest wants to bring it to the attention of the European Union as another example of Moscow's violation of international law. Next week, the European Parliament is expected to demand redress for this injustice, in a resolution supported by all political groups. Bogdan Isopescu reports from Brussels.

Romania's hoard of more than 91 tonnes of gold, works, artefacts and archival documents was sent to Moscow in 1916 and 1917, during the First World War, when much of the country was occupied by the Central Powers. Russia was even advocating at the time for the Romanian government to withdraw to Moscow for protection.

Subsequently, after the Bolshevik Revolution of 1918, the Soviet Union and then the Russian Federation refused to return the treasure, except for works of art and other cultural values, in violation of international law and commitments made under documents kept by Romania. Romanian MEP Traian Basescu, former President of Romania, recalls his last discussion with President Vladimir Putin on the matter.

"The problem of the Treasury, as well as the Transnistrian problem, is that for him these two problems do not exist and President Putin's answer was: "We can't find anything like that", which is not true, I know exactly where it is, how it is stored and it has not been used in any way" - Traian Băsescu.

The conviction of the former president, as well as Romanian MEPs and MEPs from other countries, is that Romania should not give up this claim and that the treasure will be returned when Russia becomes democratic.

The exhibition in the European Parliament presents legal evidence and historical documents concerning the handing over of the Romanian Treasure to Moscow, as well as Russia's commitments to return it at our country's request.

Translated by Radu Matei

SOURCE: Radio România Actualități