ISLAMABAD: Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Dan Stoenescu on Thursday said Romania used its National Day celebrations to reflect on 61 years of relations with Pakistan, outlining new diplomatic, cultural, educational and economic steps that have strengthened the partnership over the past year.
The Ambassador, in connection to celebrate National day of Romania said that Romania on 1st December marks the Great Union of 1918, when various Romanian regions came together as a unified state. The day carries symbolic value for Romanians, serving as a moment to reaffirm national unity and the principles that guide the country’s path toward security, stability and growth.
Dr Dan said, this year’s celebration also highlights 61 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Pakistan more than six decades marked by cooperation, respect and steady engagement. Officials noted that ties between the two countries have expanded across political, economic, academic and cultural sectors, demonstrating a shared commitment to a long-standing partnership.
Romania has taken several steps in the past year to broaden its presence in Pakistan, he said while highlighting the opening of the Romanian Honorary Consulate in Peshawar was one of the key developments, with upcoming honorary consulates planned for Karachi and Lahore. These initiatives are intended to improve outreach, promote exchanges and strengthen diplomatic channels.
The Ambassador hoped to further enhance cooperation, as Romanian embassy travelled widely across Pakistan, meeting government representatives, business leaders and industry groups in cities such as Karachi, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi and Peshawar. These visits helped advance discussions on trade, investment and business opportunities, creating room for direct collaborations.
One of the major milestones this year was the launch of the first Romania-Pakistan IT Forum. More than 100 companies from both countries joined the initiative, which created new connections between technology firms and opened space for future work in digital innovation and information technology.
Defence cooperation also progressed. High-level military exchanges took place in both directions, reflecting a growing level of understanding between the two armed forces and reaffirming continued collaboration.
He said people-to-people links also became more visible during the year. Romania and Pakistan increased cultural, academic and media exchanges to strengthen mutual understanding. The first edition of Romanian Cultural Days in Pakistan was organised in November, offering film screenings, musical performances and art exhibitions in Karachi and Islamabad. These events introduced Pakistani audiences to Romanian creativity and cultural diversity.
Highlighting the academic partnerships also received a boost. Romanian universities expanded cooperation with Pakistani institutions including NUST, GIFT and NUTECH. A significant step came with the establishment of the first Romanian language lectorate in Pakistan at NUML. The presence of a Romanian lecturer, Dr. Oana Ursache, marks an important step in deepening academic and cultural ties.
In his remarks, the ambassador noted that nations today operate in a more diverse and multi-polar global environment where sovereignty and the right to make independent decisions remain central principles. He said current regional challenges in Europe have not altered Romania’s commitment to its national goals, ensuring the safety of citizens, strengthening the economy and promoting long-term development.
He highlighted the impact of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, describing how drone attacks on Ukrainian ports along the Danube brought the effects of the war close to Romanian territory. These strikes prompted alerts in Romanian border areas, underscoring the wider security risks in the region. Recent steps taken by NATO and the European Union, including the Eastern Sentry initiative and Eastern Flank Watch, were mentioned as efforts to reinforce regional defence. He also cautioned that frequent violations of Allied airspace by Russian drones and aircraft must not be treated as routine.
He said Romania, sharing the longest border with Ukraine among NATO members, has been active in strengthening collective defence measures. He reaffirmed Romania’s continued support for Ukraine, stressing that this support aims to help secure a lasting peace and bring an end to the conflict. He added that Romania remains committed to defending its sovereignty and democratic principles while contributing to regional and global security.
The ambassador also noted that the Republic of Moldova continues to face security pressures, including attempts to destabilise its political landscape. Romania strongly supports Moldova’s path toward European integration and maintains close cooperation to address shared challenges.
He said that although global dynamics are shifting rapidly, Romania’s foreign policy remains anchored in several key pillars: its membership in the European Union, its role in NATO, its strategic partnership with the United States and its cooperation with global partners. These foundations continue to shape Romania’s diplomatic work and international engagement.
As the event concluded, the ambassador reflected on the progress Romania and Pakistan have made over their 61-year relationship. He noted that cooperation has continued to expand across culture, education, trade, security and technology.
He expressed confidence that both countries will continue to build on these achievements, deepening their partnership and creating new opportunities for future collaboration.
He closed by reaffirming Romania’s commitment to strengthening ties and celebrating the enduring friendship between the two nations. –Agencies
