Romania has collected the sum of 5.7 million euros, representing the insurance compensation for the four movable cultural assets stolen in January from the Drents Museum, Netherlands, the Ministry of Culture reported on Saturday.

'The National Museum of History of Romania (MNIR) confirmed that the full amount of the insurance policy, namely 5,700,000 euros, was transferred by the insurer, according to the contract concluded between the parties. This represents the insurance value of the four stolen artifacts: three bracelets and the Dacian Helmet from Cotofenesti. The last installment, worth 855,000 euros, representing 15% of the total value, was transferred on September 12, the previous payment worth 4,845,000 euros, representing 85% of the total value, being made on August 25,' reads a Ministry of Culture's release issued to AGERPRES on Saturday.

In accordance with legal regulations, according to the communication received from the Ministry of Finance, the MNIR - which, at this moment, has fully collected the insurance, will transfer the amount to the state budget. Upon the return of the insured objects, the insurer will request the insurance value from the museum, which, in turn, will request the money from the state budget.

The Ministry of Culture specifies that, in order to ensure permanent monitoring of the situation and correct information of public opinion, the functioning of the working group will be improved at the level of the ministry and the MNIR by adapting its composition to the current situation.

The Minister of Culture, Andras Demeter, the third minister to lead the ministry since the treasure was taken out of the country, requested proposals to modify the procedures regarding the temporary exhibition of heritage objects in Romania, in order to reduce the risk of repeating such extremely serious events, which dramatically affect the national heritage, the press release also informs. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Livia Popescu; EN - writing by: Bogdan Gabaroi)