After an exemplary career in the media, in early 2016 you take the responsibility to promote your country in France by acceding to the office of Ambassador of Romania to the French Republic, how do you approach this mission? How did your career serve you? What assessment can you make after two years?
Indeed, I am ambassador in Paris since February 2016, after a long career in media, as you mentioned, of more than 20 years. I was editor-in-chief of the channel RFI Romania and correspondent, in my country, of several francophone media, while also working for Romanian media. So I certainly had, from the beginning, some knowledge of French realities, which was very useful to me. Also, some reflexes of the job of journalist have helped me a lot in my current functions: I think that the two domains, journalism and diplomacy, are jobs for those who are curious, for those who are interested in others, for those who want to learn. So, from this point of view, I’m blessed as a diplomat. This is an exciting activity and I am very happy to be able to contribute to the development of a relationship as special and warm as that between Romania and France.
These last two years have been marked by a rise in political contacts of very high level: two visits of the French Heads of State in Romania, several visits of the Prime Ministers in France and many other official meetings. And yes, the future agenda of our relations promises to be just as rich in the perspective of the France-Romania Season and the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the European Union. At the same time, I am always happy to visit other parts of France, for there are very strong links between many municipalities, cities and French departments and the municipalities, cities and “judet” of Romania. Moreover, for France, Romania is the second country in the world for twinning and other decentralized cooperation. These direct links that are created between Romanians and French are perhaps the strongest foundations of our relations.
Cultural and political relations between Romania and France date back to the 19th century, let us remember “The Society of Romanian Students in Paris” in the Latin Quarter founded in 1846. What is the climate of our political and cultural relations today? An upcoming bilateral year?
The connections between French and Romanians have been present even before the 19th century. Already in the 18th century, the French language was widely distributed in Wallachia and Moldova. In the following century, Paris became the privileged destination of many young Romanians wishing to finish their studies.
We remember of course the brotherhood of arms between Romanians and Frenchmen during the First World War, through the mission led by General Henri Berthelot, and the support of France in the construction of the Romanian National State and the creation of modern Romania, of which we celebrate this year the Centenary.
As everyone knows, France has become the country of adoption for many famous writers and artists, such as Constantin Brancusi, Eugene Ionesco, Mircea Eliade, George Enescu, Tristan Tzara and Gherasim Luca.
So we can see that there is a long-standing and deep friendship, but our bilateral cooperation is currently under the banner of a strong Strategic Partnership in political, economic and cultural terms. France remains a key partner and ally of Romania within the European Union and NATO.
The decision to organize a Romania-France Season is the result of a shared desire to highlight this rich heritage. It also responds to a need for both countries to renew their image and the perception that the French and Romanians have of each other, because the clichés have thick skin, as the French say. This is why the slogan of the Season is “forget your clichés!” to erase them in order to better discover or to rediscover themselves. This Season will be a first for Romania and for the bilateral relationship. In France alone there will be nearly 300 events: exhibitions in major museums, concerts in prestigious venues and other emblematic places in Paris and in dozens of cities in France. And then we must add the 200 events that will take place in Romania.
It is also a Season bound by symbols: it will begin this year in France, a few days before December 1, date of our National Day and Centenary of modern Romania, and will end in Romania in 2019, at a date no less symbolic, that of the 14th of July.
Since Romania joined the European Union in 2007, trade relations between Romania and France have developed, where do we stand today?
Numbers are what speak best. Over the past 10 years, bilateral merchandise trade has increased by 51% in such a way that by the end of 2017 they reached the all-time record of 8.23 billion euros.
In terms of investments, the French CAC 40 companies have acquired a strategic position in the Romanian economy, with a strong presence in the key sectors of industry and services. The most visible example is that of the Dacia-Renault plant, which continues to break sales records as the brand celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The potential for developing economic relations remains very promising, both for large companies and SMEs.
What is the role of the Romanian Embassy in France in increasing our economic and cultural relations?
We work on it every day! With my team, we conduct a sustained dialogue with a wide range of French and Romanian interlocutors. I have already mentioned our rich cultural cooperation, which will culminate with the France-Romania Season. On the economic side, we are committed to promoting at the Romanian Embassy in France the commercial relations between French and Romanian companies. We help economic actors develop business projects, especially in France, but also in Romania. Thanks to our economic advisor, the Embassy coordinates the annual participation of hundreds of Romanian companies in more than 10 prestigious international exhibitions taking place in Paris. It also provides relationship support for the mutual establishment of French and Romanian companies in both countries.
It should also be noted that, as part of the France-Romania Season, the Embassy will be involved in more than 55 economic events in Romania and France.
Romania is an active member of the OIF in the same way that France is, yourself being a knowledgeable Francophile, how does the French language serve our relationships?
The French language plays a fundamental role in our relations; it facilitates cooperation in the most varied fields. French is one of the most studied and spoken languages in Romania at the academic, administration, and business levels. Romania constantly supports the pluralism of working languages in international organizations, particularly within the European Union and the United Nations. And it is no coincidence that Romania currently coordinates the EU and UN Ambassadors Group. In Paris, I myself am vice-president of the Francophone Ambassadors Group, which is a very dynamic association.
With France, we have a privileged dialogue within the framework of the Francophone institution, in the spirit of the common values which are peace, democracy, human rights, cultural diversity, solidarity and sustainable development. Among the initiatives of Romania in the framework of the Francophonie, I could mention the more recent success of the Conference of Women Entrepreneurs of the Francophonie, which took place in Bucharest in November 2017, and which will lead to the adoption of a Francophone strategy for gender equality.
What are the major projects and objectives of your Embassy in the years to come?
It’s simple: to strengthen ties between our two countries at all levels and with all Romanian and French partners. To strengthen the Franco-Romanian political dialogue, both on bilateral issues and within the European Union. We have common interests; we share the vision of a stronger Europe, more united and closer to its citizens. The France-Romania Season will coincide, as I mentioned, with the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU. This will be a double opportunity for my country to show its dynamism, creativity and deep attachment to Europe.
Romania wants concrete results for European citizens through its Presidency, which will put the principle of cohesion at the centre of its priorities. Moreover, the motto of the Romanian Presidency will be “Cohesion, a common European value”.
The President of the European Commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, had this beautiful statement last year during a visit to Bucharest: “If Romania is not one of the founding countries of the Union, it has largely proved its capacity to be a refounding country of the European Union”. This will be a major challenge for Romania and we are counting on the support of our French partners for a successful presidency.
On the economic front, our wish is to have more Romanian companies in France. I have been happy to quite often see, in recent months, Romanian companies opening offices in France or exporting their products here. And of course, we are open for French investments and we want an even more dynamic presence of SMEs on the Romanian market.
Moreover, few people know that the Romanian Embassy in Paris also has the role of liaising with the OECD. One of the main diplomatic objectives of our embassy is to promote Romania’s candidacy in order to start accession negotiations with the OECD. As recently stated by the Romanian Foreign Minister, our membership of the OECD is a way to boost the national reform agenda. It is a natural development after joining NATO and the EU.
Finally, on the eve of major European elections, what message do you want to send to France, to the French and to the Romanian people in France?
My message is the same for the French and the Romanians who live in France: let’s talk about Europe everywhere and as often as possible! We are living in a complex historical phase, with various changes and crises, whether it is migration flows or the return of nationalism. What is certain is that we all need a united, strong and functional Europe in the face of these major challenges. The answers needed to move the European project forward must come from all European horizons. Let’s talk about Europe, find answers together and participate in the European elections next year!
