Extensive opportunities exist to enhance trade and investment between the two countries, says Romanian Ambassador Dr. Dan Stoenescu

Romania and Pakistan aim to transform longstanding friendship into a stronger economic, defence and educational partnership

Romanian Ambassador visits National Press Club Islamabad, participates in Meet the Press programme and plants a sapling on NPC premises

Islamabad (City Reporter): Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr. Dan Stoenescu visited the National Press Club (NPC) Islamabad and participated in its Meet the Press programme, where he emphasized the need to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Pakistan and Romania in information technology, artificial intelligence, agriculture, education, trade, defence and cultural exchange. The ambassador also planted a sapling on the NPC lawn. NPC President Abdul Razzaq Sial, Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao, Finance Secretary Abid Abbasi and senior journalists warmly welcomed the distinguished guest upon his arrival.

Welcoming the Romanian ambassador, NPC President Abdul Razzaq Sial said that Pakistan and Romania enjoyed close and friendly relations, with significant potential for cooperation in journalism, education, trade, information technology, culture and other sectors. He said that greater engagement in these fields could help strengthen bilateral ties and promote mutual understanding between the two countries.

NPC Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao said that the National Press Club Islamabad was an important representative institution of the journalistic community, working not only for the welfare of journalists but also for the promotion of press freedom, responsible journalism and international media relations. He said the Romanian ambassador’s visit was an important opportunity to strengthen contacts between the journalistic communities of the two countries and benefit from each other’s professional experiences.

Addressing the Meet the Press programme, Ambassador Dr. Dan Stoenescu said that Pakistan and Romania had enjoyed more than six decades of friendly relations based on mutual respect, shared interests and constructive cooperation. He expressed confidence that expanding bilateral trade and investment could give a new dimension to the longstanding partnership between the two countries.

The ambassador recalled that Pakistan and Romania established diplomatic relations on October 15, 1964. Since then, the two countries have developed cooperation in industrial development, technical assistance and various other sectors. Romania contributed to Pakistan’s industrial development in earlier decades, particularly through technical expertise and cooperation in the oil, cement and fertilizer industries. He said that new opportunities now existed for joint initiatives in renewable energy, information technology, agriculture, industrial innovation and infrastructure development.

He noted that the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024 provided an opportunity for both countries to reaffirm their commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. Telephone conversations held on April 14 and June 15, 2026, between Romanian Foreign Minister Oana-Silvia Țoiu and Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar also reflected positive momentum in bilateral relations. The discussions highlighted the importance of diplomacy, dialogue, peaceful conflict resolution and expanded cooperation. Preparations are underway for the next round of bilateral political consultations, expected to take place in 2027.

Dr. Stoenescu said that bilateral trade currently stood at approximately US$156 million, a figure that did not fully reflect the economic potential of the two countries. As a member of the European Union and an important industrial and logistical hub in Central and Eastern Europe, Romania could provide Pakistani businesses with valuable opportunities to access European markets. Similarly, Pakistan’s industrial capacity, entrepreneurial sector and growing technological expertise offered attractive prospects for Romanian companies.

He highlighted the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Port of Constanța and Karachi Port Trust in March 2026, describing it as an important step towards strengthening maritime connectivity, developing new trade routes and facilitating commerce between South Asia and Europe. Another significant development was the October 2025 MoU between the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and the Bucharest Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

The ambassador also referred to the visit of a Pakistani business delegation to Romania in October 2026 and the Pakistan–Romania Business Forum held in Bucharest on the occasion. The initiative brought together business representatives from sectors including information technology, agriculture, shipping, logistics, education and textiles, creating opportunities to explore joint ventures and sustainable commercial partnerships.

Discussing defence cooperation, Dr. Stoenescu said that closer institutional contacts, professional exchanges, military education and training could further strengthen bilateral relations. He recalled that four offshore patrol vessels for the Pakistan Navy had been built at Damen Shipyards in Galați, Romania. He said that future cooperation could also extend to military medicine, disaster-response capabilities and participation in multinational training activities.

The ambassador appreciated Pakistan’s contribution to international security, particularly its participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. He stressed that the objective should be to translate bilateral dialogue into practical and sustainable projects based on mutual trust and long-term institutional cooperation.

Highlighting the growing people-to-people dimension of bilateral relations, Dr. Stoenescu said that increasing interest among Pakistani citizens in employment and educational opportunities in Romania was creating new links between the two societies. Romania welcomed legal and well-regulated labour mobility in accordance with national legislation and European Union standards, while recognizing the valuable contribution Pakistani skilled professionals could make to its economy.

Emphasizing the importance of education, scientific research and technological innovation, the ambassador said that European programmes such as Erasmus+ and Horizon Europe could facilitate academic partnerships, research collaboration and institutional exchanges between Pakistani and Romanian universities, research centres and technology companies. He identified digital transformation, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, renewable energy and sustainable agriculture as promising areas for joint research and development.

He recalled that the first Pakistan–Romania IT Forum was held online on November 20, 2025, through an initiative of the Romanian Embassy in Islamabad in partnership with the Pakistan Software Houses Association (P@SHA) and Romania’s software industry association, ANIS. More than 100 IT companies from both countries participated in the forum, which focused on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, financial technology, software development and IT services.

The ambassador said that the next step was to translate the contacts established through the forum into joint projects, commercial contracts and long-term business partnerships, enabling the technology sectors of both countries to benefit from each other’s expertise.

Speaking about cultural diplomacy and people-to-people contacts, Dr. Stoenescu highlighted several initiatives aimed at promoting mutual understanding. A photographic exhibition held at Pakistan’s Parliament House in April 2026 showcased important moments in the history of bilateral relations.

He also referred to opera singing courses organized at the Pakistan National Council of the Arts by Romanian opera singer Georgiana Costea-Glugă and preparations for Romanian language courses at the National University of Modern Languages in Islamabad.

Another notable cultural initiative was the professional choral rendition of Pakistan’s national anthem, released on March 23, 2026, by Romania’s National Chamber Choir, “Madrigal – Marin Constantin,” under the direction of Anna Ungureanu. The project adapted the 1949 orchestral composition exclusively for human voices and provided Pakistan with its first official choral sheet music.

The ambassador further highlighted the inauguration of the “Romanian Bookshelf” at the National Library of Pakistan in Islamabad on June 10, 2026, describing it as an important milestone in educational and cultural cooperation between the two countries.

Dr. Stoenescu said that further initiatives were being considered to strengthen cooperation in education, science, culture, media, youth and sports. Proposed arrangements included cooperation between Romania’s Diplomatic Institute and Pakistan’s Foreign Service Academy, between Radio România and Radio Pakistan, and between the national libraries of the two countries.

He also acknowledged the important role of Romania’s honorary consulates in Pakistan in promoting regional economic, commercial, cultural and educational exchanges. Romania has an Honorary Consul in Peshawar, an Honorary Consul Designate in Karachi, while approval for a new Honorary Consul in Lahore is awaited.

Concluding his remarks, the Romanian ambassador said that Romania regarded Pakistan as an important partner in South Asia and was committed to transforming the two countries’ longstanding friendship into tangible opportunities in trade, investment, defence, education, technology and people-to-people engagement.

He expressed confidence that the experience and goodwill built over more than six decades of diplomatic relations could serve as a strong foundation for a more dynamic and results-oriented partnership, contributing to prosperity, peace and stability for both nations.

NPC President Abdul Razzaq Sial and Secretary Dr. Furqan Rao expressed the hope that the ambassador’s visit would help strengthen professional and institutional links between Pakistani and Romanian journalists and open new avenues for cooperation between the two countries’ media communities.