Afghanistan, Sept. 5 -- European central banks are increasingly moving gold reserves out of North America and closer to home as geopolitical tensions, wars and economic uncertainty prompt governments to strengthen control over one of their most important reserve assets.
The move gained attention this week after the Dutch central bank confirmed it had transferred 86 tonnes of gold from storage facilities in the United States and Canada to the Bank of England in London. Dutch officials said the relocation was intended to ensure the gold would be more readily available in the event of a severe international crisis.
The Netherlands holds about 313 tonnes of gold in reserve, and central bank Governor Olaf Sleijpen said the transfer was part of...