This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only those who have signed it.
Two written questions have been tabled by members of the Parliamentary
Assembly on Russian “Trophy” archives (written questions No. 644
and No. 754 and reply by the Committee of Ministers of 8 April 2021).
In its Opinion
193 (1996) on the application by Russian Federation for
membership of the Council of Europe, the Assembly notes that:
“the Russian Federation shares fully its understanding and
interpretation of commitments entered into as spelt out in paragraph
7, and intends:
(...) to negotiate
claims for the return of cultural property to other European countries
on an ad hoc basis that differentiates between types of property
(archives, works of art, buildings, etc.) and of ownership (public,
private or institutional);
(...) to settle rapidly all issues related to the return
of property claimed by Council of Europe member States, in particular
the archives transferred to Moscow in 1945.”
The Steering Committee for Culture, Heritage and Landscape
(CDCPP) should conduct a study of the implementation of Recommendation
No. R(2000)13 of the Committee of Ministers by member
States.
The Assembly therefore asks the authorities of Russian Federation
to grant free access without delay to these “Trophy” archives for
all scientists, students and other citizens and particularly for
those from the member States concerned.