- In a National Day address, Ambassador Dan Stoenescu highlights new consulates, IT forum, and cultural links, while detailing threats posed by Russia’s war on Romania’s doorstep.
Islamabad – In a speech marking Romania’s National Day, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan Mr. Dan Stoenescu celebrated over six decades of bilateral friendship and outlined significant strides in economic and cultural cooperation, while also delivering a stark warning about the security threats emanating from the war in Ukraine.
The address, which chronicled a year of deepened engagement, also served as a firm reaffirmation of Romania’s commitment to Euro-Atlantic values and collective defense in the face of Russian aggression.
“Celebrating the National Day is a symbolic moment for our national unity,” the ambassador stated, referring to the Great Union of 1918. “It is an opportunity to reaffirm the values we believe in and to highlight the path Romania follows with confidence toward freedom, security, and prosperity.”
A Partnership in Growth
The ambassador detailed a year of accelerated partnership with Pakistan, announcing the opening of a Romanian Honorary Consulate in Peshawar and plans for new consulates in Karachi and Lahore. Extensive travels to Pakistani industrial hubs like Sialkot and Gujranwala, he said, were aimed at “open[ing] new doors for trade, investment and business dialogue.”
A landmark achievement was the launch of the first-ever Romania-Pakistan IT Forum, which brought over 100 companies from both nations into direct contact. “This historic event sets the foundation for new partnerships in technology, innovation and digital transformation,” he said.
The partnership also extended into defence, with high-level military exchanges underscoring a “solid, trusted partnership,” and into culture, with the first-ever Romanian Cultural Days in Pakistan featuring film, art, and music in Islamabad and Karachi.
Academic ties were also strengthened, including the establishment of the first Romanian language program in Pakistan at the National University of Modern Languages (NUML).
War on the Doorstep and a Firm Stance
Striking a sober tone, the ambassador detailed the direct impact of the war in Ukraine on Romania, a NATO member with the longest border with Ukraine.
“Russia has brought the war literally to Romania’s doorstep,” he said, citing repeated drone attacks on Ukrainian Danube ports that have triggered alerts in Romanian border regions. He emphasized that “numerous violations of Allied airspace… must not become the new normal.”
He outlined concrete steps taken by NATO and the EU, such as the ‘Eastern Sentry’ and ‘Drone Wall’ initiatives, to bolster the security of the Alliance’s Eastern Flank. “Romania has been at the forefront of efforts to ensure the decisions and measures needed to strengthen collective deterrence and defence in the region,” he stated, reaffirming unwavering support for Ukraine in its quest for a “just and lasting peace.”
The ambassador also expressed firm support for the European path of the Republic of Moldova, which he said faces “multiple security challenges, including attempts at destabilization, part of the hybrid actions of the Russian Federation.”
A Confident Future
Despite a “challenging international environment,” the ambassador expressed confidence in Romania’s course, anchored by its EU and NATO memberships and its strategic partnership with the United States.
As the celebration of 61 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan concluded, the envoy struck an optimistic note for the future. “Our friendship continues to grow stronger across culture, education, trade and security,” he said. “We will continue to deepen our partnership and open new avenues of cooperation—towards an even brighter future for both our nations.”
He concluded with a cheer in Urdu: “Romania – Pakistan dosti zindabad!” – Long live Romania-Pakistan friendship.
BY: Nadeem Faisal Baiga
