George Gabriel Bologan
Ambassador of Romania
Luis Ayllón
George Gabriel Bologan arrived in Madrid last spring to head the Romanian Embassy, after having carried out various tasks in Italy, first as a journalist and then as a diplomat. His last post was precisely that of ambassador in Rome. This professional background has allowed him to get to know well a country that, like Spain, is the destination of several million Romanians, which means that bilateral ties are very close. In conversation with The Diplomat, the ambassador points out that one of his objectives is to prepare the first Spanish-Romanian summit, for which the governments of Madrid and Bucharest are seeking a date.
This year marks the 141st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Romania and Spain. What objectives have you set for your mandate in Madrid as Romanian ambassador?
141 years of diplomatic relations are an indicator of our stability and good cooperation and reflect the depth of the ties between Romania and Spain.
As Romania’s Ambassador to Spain, I intend to reconfirm the strategic status of the bilateral partnership and give new impetus to this relationship. At the moment, the agenda of upcoming bilateral events is focused on the organisation of the first Spanish-Romanian Summit, through which we intend to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the political-diplomatic, economic and cultural, but also social, educational and human fields. We are working closely with our Spanish partners to achieve this common objective, which implies, first of all, a recognition of the privileged relationship of friendship between Romania and Spain.
Given the large number of Romanians in Spain, a cross-cutting priority of my mandate is to bring together the Romanian community of compatriots who, for various reasons, have chosen Spain as their second home and actively contribute to the progress of Spanish society. I firmly believe that the soul of a successful bilateral relationship is the community, and public and cultural diplomacy actions occupy an important place in this equation and represent the key to our mutual knowledge and promotion, undoubtedly enriching our bilateral relationship.
I also intend that, during the forthcoming Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union, scheduled for the second half of next year, Romania will be an interlocutor and a point of support for the fulfilment of the Spanish mandate.
According to some statistics, Spain is the most popular country among Romanians. Why do you think this is so?
Despite the geographical distance, we share a dual Latin-European identity, this DNA of our peoples is the essence of the cultural links between Romania and Spain. Moreover, the ease of learning the Spanish language, as well as the hospitality characteristic of Latin peoples, also contribute to the feeling of sympathy towards the Spanish people.
I would like to see more compatriots participating in next year’s administrative elections, which can be a right and an opportunity to transform the Romanian community into one that can make a difference at the local level, involved in the political and social life of the host state. I also hope that, like other European countries, Spain will allow dual citizenship. I believe it would be a win-win situation, and I say this from a profoundly European perspective and with respect for Spain’s sovereignty and laws. Times are different from 1978 or 1989 and many Romanian citizens could be a real resource for the host state. The recognised work, the revitalisation by Romanians of important localities or economic sectors, the European culture and spirituality that characterise us and many common affinities, in addition to the growing number of mixed families, are just some of the elements that can submit to an objective assessment the possibility that Romanians in Spain (the largest community in the EU) can obtain Spanish nationality without being forced to renounce their nationality of origin.
At the same time, the representatives of local and central authorities with whom I have met have confirmed to me the very good level of integration of Romanian citizens at local level, through their active participation in the functioning and development of key sectors of the Spanish economy, be it agriculture, construction, tourism, research or medicine. His Majesty King Felipe VI himself, on the occasion of the presentation of my credentials as ambassador, warmly referred to the Romanian community, a basic pillar in building a fruitful and dynamic relationship between our countries.
Spain and Romania have signed a strategic partnership agreement. What are the results? In which areas have relations between Spain and Romania intensified?
The establishment of the Strategic Partnership since 2013 was based on the very good bilateral cooperation and the great potential for development in all sectors of common interest. The bilateral dialogue started this year under very good auspices, with the visit of the Spanish Prime Minister to Bucharest, which reconfirmed the closeness of positions and coordination at bilateral, European and multilateral levels. Moreover, the coming period will see the first visit of a Romanian interior minister to Spain, a result that is all the more important given that bilateral cooperation in this field is substantial, including through the office of the interior attaché at the embassy. Moreover, the office of the liaison magistrate has already been activated this year to facilitate judicial cooperation between the Romanian and Spanish authorities.
At the same time, the bilateral relationship has even advanced in the security dimension of the Strategic Partnership. The Romanian authorities welcome Spain’s contribution to strengthening the security of the Eastern flank of the Alliance, in particular Romania and the Black Sea region. I would like to highlight in particular the participation, for the first time, of the Spanish Air Force, in February and March 2021, with a detachment of 130 military personnel and six Eurofighter Typhoon fighters, in joint Enhanced Air Policing missions with the Romanian Air Force, carried out under NATO command at Mihail Kogălniceanu Air Base, and in training exercises with the Romanian military. We also particularly appreciate the presence of Spanish military personnel in NATO command structures in Romania, as well as the participation of Spanish frigates in exercises or visits to ports of allied or partner states in the Black Sea. In turn, Romania contributes to NATO command and control structures in Spain.
We look forward to strengthening these relations in the future, given our excellent cooperation both bilaterally and within NATO.
What does Romania need from Spain at the moment and what can Romania offer the Spaniards?
Romania and Spain have the common feature of being border states of the European Union, with a great deal of relevant experience and expertise in managing relations with neighbourhood partners, understanding the importance of a permanent and constructive engagement, both in the East and in the South, based on the values that unite us. Spain and Romania have thus proven to be two reliable partners committed to building a resilient society, capable of protecting the interests and livelihoods of their own citizens and of promoting together a rules-based international order.
Spain has valuable experience in the management of European funds, in the implementation of projects in the field of renewable energies and infrastructures, and Romania represents an interesting opportunity for the internationalisation of Spanish companies, with implicit benefits for both countries and motivating prospects for identifying new synergies. Spanish investments in Romania reached €1.78 billion in 2021, with 6,375 companies with Spanish capital participation.
Romania’s main strengths are its competitive tax system, its geostrategic position and its highly qualified workforce. I would like to give you just a few examples of economic sectors in which Romania stands out at the European level: Romania is the 4th largest car manufacturer in Central Europe (the Dacia Sandero model was the best-selling model in Spain in 2020). In the information and communication technologies sector, Romania is one of the countries with a recognised performance and the most developed IT sector in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition, with 9.4 million hectares of arable land, Romania is the leading EU producer of sunflower, the second largest producer of maize and the fifth largest producer of wheat in 2021.
In the economic sphere, how have relations evolved, and what sectors of the Romanian economy are of interest to Spanish companies?
Trade relations between Romania and Spain have been on a steady upward trend since 1990, and the upward trend is still evident this year. At the end of the first quarter of 2022, the bilateral trade volume stood at €1.5 billion, an increase of 30% compared to the same period in 2021. The trade balance is balanced, both in terms of volume and product groups. There is both an increased interest of Spanish investors in Romania, present mainly with investments in energy, construction and industrial production, and a growing number of Romanian companies present in Spain, a sign of the integration and diversification of the community of compatriots in the Peninsula.
Do you consider that you have the support of the Spanish government for Romania’s accession to the OECD, and does Romania already fulfil all the conditions for this accession?
Spain is a reliable partner of Romania in the OECD and the government in Madrid plays a particularly active role in the organisation. From the latter point of view, we welcome Spain’s decision to host the OECD Ministerial Conference on the Digital Economy in Madrid in December this year. Romania has already received, since January this year, the status of candidate country for accession to the OECD and the roadmap for accession has already been approved, which clearly guides the next steps for Romania’s accession to the OECD and details the sectoral negotiation chapters and criteria to be fulfilled by our country. Romania is unequivocally committed to OECD membership and is doing its utmost to fulfil its obligations as a member. The OECD plays a key role in shaping the economy of the future, a resilient, digital and inclusive economy, and Romania is firmly committed to being part of this process.
2022 was the 15th anniversary of Romania’s entry into the EU, what is your country’s assessment of this accession?
Certainly, the positive effects of belonging to the big European family are felt in our daily lives, from the consolidation of democratic principles and stability to the promotion of free movement and economic progress. The presence of Romanians in Spain, the right to move freely within the European space and to work here are practical consequences of EU membership. Many of our compatriots in Europe have been able to realise their dreams and hopes thanks to the principles on which the European Union was built. Hundreds of thousands of young Romanians have participated in the Erasmus programme, student mobility being one of the most appreciated benefits of EU membership. Therefore, the connection and link between Romania and the other Member States, including Spain, has a strong human component.
As an expression of this maturity as a Member State, Romania successfully managed its first Presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2019. The declaration adopted at the Summit that Romania hosted in Sibiu on 9 May 2019 reiterated its commitment to a more united Europe, from East to West and from North to South, based on common solutions, solidarity and the protection of the European way of life, democracy and the rule of law.
Romania today hosts on its territory an important European structure, the European Centre of Competence in Cybersecurity, and two positions of visibility in the EU are held by two Romanians: the first chief prosecutor in the history of the EU and the executive director of the European Labour Authority. And let’s not forget that here in Spain, the EU Satellite Centre (SATCEN) in Torrejón de Ardoz is run by a Romanian.
The United States announced at the NATO Summit that it will strengthen its military presence in several European countries, including Romania. What does this mean? Will it be mainly troops?
The NATO Summit in Madrid had a truly historic outcome, not only because of the importance of the New Strategic Concept adopted, but also because of the Alliance’s change of vision towards a unified, coherent and balanced approach to the entire Eastern Flank and the declaration of the Black Sea as an area of strategic importance to the Alliance. These are decisions that, as President Klaus Iohannis has said, “make NATO stronger, more effective and more present internationally”.
The US President’s announcement to send more US troops to Romanian territory will undoubtedly have a positive effect, including on security and peace in the region. In addition, the Allies’ decision to allow the Romanian battle group to grow to brigade level will contribute to the stabilisation of the area.
Romania has 650 km of border with Ukraine. How is it coping with the economic and humanitarian consequences of the war?
The Russian invasion has created the worst humanitarian and security crisis on the continent since the end of World War II, with multidimensional and global consequences, such as a worsening food and energy crisis.
Romania and its citizens have shown full solidarity with Ukraine and reacted promptly, offering their support in various ways, since the beginning of the Russian invasion. As an EU and NATO member state with the longest land border with Ukraine, Romania has acted swiftly and effectively to support refugees from Ukraine, with immediate assistance complemented by measures to facilitate the social and professional integration of all refugees. By the end of July 2022, more than 1.7 million Ukrainian citizens have entered Romania. Romania’s management of the refugee situation in Ukraine is a strong argument for Romania to act already as a Schengen member state and to deserve to join the area of free movement de jure. In addition, through the humanitarian centre in Suceava, which became operational on 9 March, Romania has consistently supported the delivery of aid to Ukraine.
Supporting Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction efforts is equally a priority for Romania. Our recent efforts have also been directed at protecting Ukraine’s role as an exporter of agricultural products, to prevent and alleviate food shortages in vulnerable regions around the world.
As for the effects of the war in Ukraine on Romania’s economy, the relatively restricted trade and financial relations with Russia have so far had a limited direct impact. Thus, we have been spared strong direct repercussions, not least because Romania is one of the EU Member States least dependent on energy imports from Russia.
Does Romania feel particularly threatened by Russia, given its proximity and its advance in southern Ukraine?
We are particularly concerned about the serious security developments in our immediate neighbourhood, which directly affect not only national security and the wider Black Sea region, but also European, Euro-Atlantic and global security.
That is why, in the context of the dramatic and worrying security developments in Ukraine, the North Atlantic Alliance took a number of decisions at the Madrid Summit to adapt to the new security context, including the recognition that Russia is the most direct and significant threat to allied security, peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area and the reinforcement of the long-term allied deterrence and defence posture on the eastern flank to respond effectively to all threats.
I would like to recall that, within NATO, the Romanian and Spanish militaries are fully engaged in the implementation of reinsurance measures on the Eastern flank and participate in joint training activities aimed at developing response and deterrence capabilities and strengthening Allied interoperability. For example, at the end of July, the Spanish Air Force participated with Romania and other allies in a complex training event in Romanian airspace.
What is the significance of the fact that the Republic of Moldova has been accepted as an EU candidate country? Does Romania fear Russian aggression against neighbouring Moldova?
The granting of EU candidate country status to the Republic of Moldova (as well as to Ukraine) is a historic decision that confirms the strategic value of the European Union’s enlargement policy. Of course, this decision represents the beginning of a complex process and Romania, for its part, will remain one of the most open supporters of the European agenda of the Republic of Moldova, as well as that of Ukraine or Georgia.
However, I would like to point out that a number of factors are weighing on the security environment in the Republic of Moldova. Romania has sought to increase the level of political engagement of the international community in support of the Republic of Moldova, as well as to mobilise substantial financial assistance to enable Chisinau to withstand the massive and multidimensional shocks it is facing. On 5 April, Romania, Germany and France organised the inaugural conference of the Platform for Support to the Republic of Moldova, and a follow-up ministerial conference was held in Bucharest on 15 July. The Bucharest conference confirmed the consolidation of the Platform for Support to the Republic of Moldova as a permanent instrument to keep the Republic of Moldova in the spotlight of donors and to mobilise support for the efforts of the authorities of the Republic of Moldova to implement the reforms necessary for European integration. Overall, the two conferences generated additional support for the Republic of Moldova of over EUR 1.25 billion in grants, soft loans and financial assistance.
In addition, at the bilateral level, Romania has provided substantial humanitarian assistance to the Republic of Moldova in various forms to help overcome the problems caused by the reception of an impressive number of refugees from Ukraine.
