European parliament demands Russia return Romanian gold given during WWI

The European parliament passed a resolution on Thursday, demanding Russia to return gold and other valuable items to Romania that were given to Moscow during World War I (WWI) for safekeeping, Fox News reported. 

The kingdom of Romania had sent valuable items including 91.5 metric tonnes of gold coins and ingots, jewels and cultural treasures such as works of art, via railroad at the beginning of WWI for protection.

At the time of the war, Romania had joined forces with the Triple Entente which included Russia, Britain and France against the triple alliance — Germany, Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman empire.

The Bolsheviks, who later renamed to become the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, seized the gold after coming to power in 1917.

Previously, several attempts had been made to recover the items given, however, the efforts had not proved to be successful. 

In 1935 and 1956, some cultural valuables were returned, however, none of the gold has been recovered.

In 2003, Romania and Russia set up a join commission to solve the gold issue and improve bilateral ties.

The resolution passed by lawmakers in the European parliament was proposed by Romanian parliamentarian Eugen Tomac and supported by the National Bank of Romania.

On a post on Facebook, Tomac hailed the resolution as a "historic vote" and "a matter of national dignity".

He wrote, "Romania cannot and must not accept anything less than the return of 91.5 tonnes of gold and the entire Cultural Treasure."