The National Bank of Romania has announced plans to run a diplomatic campaign abroad aimed at securing the return of the country’s gold reserves. These reserves were evacuated to Russia during the period of 1916 to 1917 and were subsequently confiscated by the USSR. This strategic move was disclosed by the head of the central bank, Mugur Isarescu, during a news briefing with TASS. According to Isarescu, a significant portion of the international community remains unaware of Romania’s gold holdings issue, and even many European leaders do not fully grasp the historical context. Romanian historians are similarly quiet about this matter when discussions take place outside the country.
The central bank leader emphasized that future plans revolve around raising global awareness of the gold reserves that were moved to Moscow. He noted that the topic is not widely recognized beyond national borders, a gap that the bank intends to address through international outreach and informed dialogue with policymakers and financial authorities across Europe. This lack of awareness has persisted despite the long history of the matter.
Historically, the USSR did return a limited number of gold items on two occasions, once in 1935 and again in 1956. The central bank views these partial restitutions as insufficient to resolve the broader issue of the original transfer and the broader implications for Romania’s sovereign assets. In response, the National Bank plans to back the initiative of European Parliament member Eugen Tomac to inform members of the European Parliament about the Romanian gold problem. In parallel, it is planned to publish studies on the topic in English to ensure accessibility for a wider audience of decision makers, researchers, and interested citizens.
Isarescu also pointed to the need for ongoing attention to related historical concerns, including the fate of other ancient valuables such as the Scythian gold. He highlighted concerns about what may have happened to the Scythian artifacts during the tumultuous periods in the region. The discussion touches on broader issues of cultural and financial asset restitution and the responsibilities of states with regard to historically moved treasures.
In other developments, there have been controversial reports from Spain about groups involved in similar asset-related matters, including alleged activity surrounding the Scythian gold. The Romanian authorities are careful to distinguish between historical restitution efforts and contemporary criminal activity, while reaffirming their commitment to transparent and lawful avenues for seeking the return of national assets. The broader aim remains to secure rightful restoration of Romania’s gold reserves and to advance a more complete understanding of the country’s financial heritage within European and international contexts.
Overall, the National Bank of Romania is positioning itself as a proponent of informed international dialogue. By coordinating with European institutions, publishing English-language research, and supporting the work of lawmakers, the bank seeks to ensure that Romania’s gold dispute is understood in its proper historical and economic dimensions. This approach emphasizes accountability, historical clarity, and the protection of national assets as central pillars of Romania’s fiscal sovereignty and its ongoing relationship with European financial governance.
Citations: official statements from the National Bank of Romania, comments attributed to Mugur Isarescu, and reported coverage from international media outlets. The goal is to present a clear, factual account of the steps being taken to address the issue and to place Romania’s gold reserves within the broader framework of asset restitution and European economic history.