ISLAMABAD: Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, Dr. Dan Stoenescu, delivered a speech in connection with the National Day of Romania in Islamabad. He said that for Romanians everywhere, 1 December carries a resonance that extends far beyond parades and official ceremonies. It is the day we pause to honor the Great Union of 1918, the moment our provinces came together to form a modern, unified Romanian state. Each year, National Day becomes not only a commemoration of history but a reaffirmation of who we are—our shared identity, the values we defend, and the path we continue to follow toward freedom, security, and prosperity.
Dr. Stoenescu said that this year’s celebration carries an added layer of meaning. It marks 61 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Pakistan, six decades defined by friendship, respect, and steady cooperation. Over time, our partnership has expanded across politics, economy, culture, education, and defense—yet it still feels full of untapped potential. And today, both countries continue to take deliberate steps to deepen that relationship even further.
Over the past year, Romania’s footprint in Pakistan has grown notably. The opening of the Romanian Honorary Consulate in Peshawar, along with upcoming consulates in Karachi and Lahore, reflects a clear commitment to long-term engagement. Travel across Pakistan—from Karachi’s coastline to the industrious cities of Sialkot, Gujranwala, Rawalpindi, and beyond—brought Romanian representatives closer to local partners, creating new energy around trade, investment, and joint business ventures.
One milestone symbolized this momentum vividly: the first-ever Romania–Pakistan IT Forum, which connected more than 100 tech companies from both countries. It was more than a conference; it was the start of a shared vision for innovation and digital transformation.
The defense sector has also seen renewed vigor. High-level exchanges between senior military officials have reinforced a sense of trust and confirmed that cooperation between our armed forces is both strategic and enduring. Meanwhile, the cultural and academic dimensions of the relationship continue to flourish. From student exchanges to media collaborations, and from artistic events to scholarly partnerships, the people of both nations are discovering more about each other than ever before.
This November brought another first: the inaugural Romanian Cultural Days in Pakistan. Through film screenings, exhibitions, and concerts in Karachi and Islamabad, Pakistani audiences encountered Romania’s artistic diversity up close. In academia, partnerships with institutions such as NUST, GIFT, NUTECH, and NUML are expanding opportunities for students and researchers. A major step was the opening of Pakistan’s first Romanian language lectorate at NUML, led by Dr. Oana Ursache.
Yet even as we celebrate, the world around us grows more turbulent. Europe faces a shifting geopolitical landscape, and Romania stands at the edge of these changes. Russian drone strikes along the Danube have brought war close to our borders, triggering alerts in neighboring regions and reminding us of the fragility of peace. New NATO initiatives—including Eastern Sentry and Eastern Flank Watch—therefore carry significant weight, reinforcing security at a time when Allied airspace has been repeatedly violated by Russian aircraft and drones.
As the NATO member state with the longest border with Ukraine, Romania remains on the front line of collective defense. Our support for Ukraine began the moment Russian aggression started and continues today, grounded in the belief that peace must be both just and lasting. Romania stands firm in defending democracy, sovereignty, and the rule of law—values that anchor our national interests and guide our diplomatic efforts.
These principles also shape our unwavering support for the Republic of Moldova, whose European path Romania champions wholeheartedly. Despite the hybrid threats and destabilization attempts Moldova continues to face, our commitment remains strong and clear.
In a world defined by rapid shifts and unpredictable challenges, Romania’s alliances remain steady. Membership in the European Union, the NATO Alliance, and our Strategic Partnership with the United States form the backbone of our foreign policy. Alongside our global partners, we continue to adapt, respond, and contribute to security and stability in the region and beyond.
As we honor Romania’s National Day and reflect on more than sixty years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan, there is much to be proud of. Our ties—rooted in shared respect—continue to grow stronger across culture, education, trade, and defense. And with each new initiative, each exchange, and each deepened understanding, the future of Romania–Pakistan relations looks brighter still.
At the end of his speech, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, Dr. Dan Stoenescu said, “Romania–Pakistan dosti zindabad.”
