The return of Sarospatak collection was made possible through a cardinal change in the political climate and increased trust between the two countries, and also by a strong tradition of cultural ties that has been maintained.
President Vladimir Putin and Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyurcsany reached an agreement on the return of the Sarospatak library during their talks in Moscow on February 17, 2005, on condition that Hungary provide assurance in accordance with federal legislation that it would guarantee the return of Russian cultural treasures in the event of their discovery on Hungarian soil.