Tazeen Akhtar
Romania celebrated 103 years since the realization of our Great Union on 01 Dec 2021. One hundred and three years back, the century long ideal of national unity has been achieved, building the foundation of the modern Romanian state. Mr. & Mrs Nicolae Goia, Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan hosted a grand reception at Serena Hotel in this connection on 03 Dec 2021.
Governor of KPK Shah Farman was the Chief Guest. SAPM Overseas Pakistanis Ayub Afridi, former SAPM Zulfi Bukhari and Senator Faisal Javed attended the event to represent government of Pakistan.
Governor Shah Farman congratulated Romania government and people on this auspicious occasion of their history. He said that Pakistan has fought a war against extremism and for the peace of the world. European Union is supposed to acknowledge our sacrifices of thousands of lives and infrastructure in this war. He urged Romania to paly her part in convincing European Union on Pakistani efforts for a peaceful region and the world.
Ambassador Niclae Goia in his welcome address shed light on the history of the day and present state of his country in the European Union and the world. He also shared his thoughts about bilateral relations with Pakistan.
Ambassador said “The end of the First World War and the armistice concluded in 1918, represents a crucial moment in the history of mankind causing deep changes both in international relations, and at socio-cultural level.”
He recalled ” Romania and Europe, will always remember that 1.1 million soldiers from the subcontinent had fought courageously and heroically in different battle fields of the WWI and 60.000 of them, mostly from today Pakistani Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, had paid the ultimate price in defending the ideals of peace, freedom, liberty, dignity, democracy and fundamental human rights. Today we pay tribute and honour them as much as we honour our heroes.”
“Romania reaffirms its attachment to the principles of international law, promotion of mutual respect and good understanding, to dialogue and to multiculturalism, values that are the basis of its international profile and external action.Today, Romania is a security provider and enjoys unprecedented development, security and welfare. Our collective duty is to protect these values and secure them in the medium and long term, as well to prepare for challenges ahead.” Mr. Goia continued.
“The key word of the Romanian European policy is union and with this call to unity we successfully exercised two years back our first ever mandate at the Presidency of the EU Council.Romania takes every possible opportunity to show that our profound European vocation is bringing a tangible contribution to a powerful, credible and inclusive Europe.We are attaching a great value to the idea of cohesion, a common European value, reflecting the imperious need for unity and cooperation among the EU Member States, as well as the need for more economic, social and territorial cohesion as enshrined in the EU Treaties.”
The Ambassador said that the anniversary of the Great Union is a good reminder and an incentive towards Romania pleading for more unity at the European level. As a responsible member of the European Union, we fully proved our capacity to build consensus and find efficient and viable solutions for our common European future.
Mr. Goia noted that “Pakistan represents an important partner for Romania in the South Asian region. We acknowledge Pakistan’s efforts in fighting terrorism, militancy and radical extremism and hope that these endeavours will continue to be an important part of international war on terror.In spite of these challenges, which obviously affected the advancement of many economic projects, we welcome the positive dynamics of the Pakistani economy, which are witnessing despite the obstacle created by the pandemic situation, a steady and robust economic growth, as well the opportunities created for the foreign companies interested in doing business in Pakistan.”
“We are eager to work with our Pakistani friends and partners for taking forward the bilateral agenda, as well as the cooperation within the EU-Pakistan framework and in multilateral formats, especially in the UN.I warmly welcome the spirit of Romania-Pakistan relations, characterized by friendship and collaboration and the new dynamism witnessed in the recent years with a result driven political dialogue reflecting a clear desire of both states for developing a pragmatic relationship in fields of mutual interests.” He expressed.
He appreciated Pakistani support in evacuate operations for Romanians and other nationals from Afghanistan this summer.
