Romanian-French partnership
Romania and France have reiterated commitment to consolidating privileged bilateral relationship.
Bogdan Matei, 05.11.2024, 14:00
In the 19th century, Paris was the destination of choice for the sons of Romanian rich families studying abroad. France was also where many Romanian 1848 revolutionaries found shelter after their reformist movement was crashed by the domestic reactionary forces supported by invading Ottoman and Russian troops. Historians also say that the firm support of French emperor Napoleon 3rd was decisive for the fulfilment of the Union of the Romanian Principalities in 1859. France was also the favourite place of asylum for the anti-communist militants fleeing dictatorship in their native country. The sculptor Constantin Brâncuşi, the philosopher Emil Cioran and the playwright Eugene Ionesco belong in equal measure to France, Romania and the world.
The French media and public opinion were most sympathetic to the Romanian anti-communist revolution of 1989 in which more than 1,000 people were killed. After the installation of democracy in Bucharest, Romanian-French bilateral relations became increasingly cordial and close, resulting in the signing of a strategic partnership in 2008. Earlier, in September 2006, Bucharest had also hosted the Francophonie Summit for the first time in history.
Back to present day, the prime minister of Romania and France, Marcel Ciolacu and Michel Barnier held talks in Paris on Monday on ways to consolidate the bilateral strategic partnership, with a focus on the economic and defence components. They agreed that investments in key areas like IT, aeronautics and energy are essential. The twofold increase in bilateral trade in 16 years of strategic partnership, its upward trend and cooperation on economic projects like Dacia Renault are solid arguments for furthering cooperation in consolidated form, said prime minister Ciolacu, quoted by Radio Romania’s correspondent in Paris. He hailed the solid cooperation existing in the area of security and the fact that France took on the role of framework nation of the NATO BattleGroup in Romania established in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, an essential element for NATO consolidation on the eastern flank. France’s wish was also highlighted to boost its military presence in Romania, which currently amounts to 800 troops.
Prime minister Ciolacu also thanked his counterpart for France’s constant support for Romania’s full entry into the free movement Schengen area and its accession to the OECD, a major priority of the Romanian government. Next year, Romania and France will celebrate 145 years of diplomatic relations and many events are being prepared to highlight the cultural wealth of the two countries and their exchanges.
