Text and photos: Juan David Latorre
Last Monday, the Romanian Embassy celebrated its National Day with a reception for the Diplomatic Corps, the Romanian community, and friends of the Central European country.
The Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Embassy, Raluca Mihaila, conveyed the desire to build “strong and lasting bridges like those that have united Romania and Spain for the 145 years of diplomatic relations we will celebrate next year. This period has seen the friendship between our countries strengthened through dialogue, respect, and the trust that our cooperation makes us stronger. And for this reason, I would like to extend my special thanks to the Secretary of State for the European Union, His Excellency Fernando Sampedro, for his presence today and his friendship, which demonstrates the strong ties between our societies.”
After recalling in her speech the excellent concert by the Marín Constantín Madrigal Choir that took place last Friday, November 28th, at the Almudena Cathedral in Madrid, which conveyed such good taste and quality to those who witnessed it, Raluca Mihaila stated that “today we celebrate a historic moment in modern Romania in which the centuries-old dream of the Romanian people became a reality: the union of the historical provinces of Romania, on December 1st, 1918. In the speech delivered on that day, King Ferdinand I of Romania spoke of how the great work of union allows us to look to the south with confidence, because the foundations are solid, based on democratic principles, which are a guarantee for the natural development of a healthy life.”
“The celebration of National Day is an occasion to reaffirm today, as then, the values that define us and that accompany us on the path we are taking together in freedom, security and prosperity. These are values that must be defended and promoted, as Romania and Spain do together. The challenge is far from easy, considering the current strategic threat posed by the Russian Federation,” noted the Chargé d’Affaires ad interim of the Romanian Embassy.
“Over the past few years,” she continued, “Romania has demonstrated on numerous occasions that it is a reliable partner of the European Union and a committed NATO ally, while remaining firmly grounded in the defense of national interests, the rule of law, freedom, and democracy. We will continue to support Ukraine, as we have done since the very beginning of the Russian aggression, to achieve a just and lasting peace and put an end to the bloodshed. At the same time, we firmly support the European integration process of the Republic of Moldova.”
After emphasizing that Romania’s national objectives are closely linked to the security and protection of its citizens, prosperity, and economic growth, Raluca Mihaila noted that “membership in the European Union and NATO, the strategic alliance with the United States, and dialogue and cooperation with our international partners are constant and defining aspects of our foreign policy.”
He later noted that “we believe that diplomatic dialogue is always more powerful than weapons, because, as the writer Clara Janés said, words bring us together; in them, the other ceases to be distant. We have partners and allies with whom we are stronger and more secure. Undoubtedly, one of our country’s most important partners is Spain. We are united in a solid strategic partnership, based on shared European values and a common vision for security on our continent. This vision is reflected in the excellent cooperation in the field of defense. The visit of His Majesty King Felipe VI last June to the Joint Training Center in Cincú, together with the President of Romania, confirms the depth of the bilateral relationship and the strategic relevance of military cooperation between our countries. Spain’s contribution to collective defense missions is a clear expression of allied solidarity and its commitment to the security of the eastern flank and the Black Sea region, a strategic and vulnerable area for democracy. We deeply value Spain’s commitment, as this cooperation strengthens our common role in defending the principles of peace, security, and Euro-Atlantic unity.”
In the area of cooperation on internal affairs, Raluca Mihaila described the relationship with Spain as “effective.” “In this regard,” she noted, “I would like to emphasize the courageous and professional work of the Romanian firefighters alongside their Spanish colleagues during the forest fires that occurred in Spain this year, demonstrating how European unity is manifested in cooperation in the face of adversity. At the same time, the support provided by Spain’s progress towards full accession to the Schengen Area, as well as our shared commitment to combating organized crime, are among the most significant milestones of our joint work.”
The Romanian Chargé d’Affaires emphasized that bilateral trade with Spain “reached a new record high of €6.71 billion last year, demonstrating the close ties between our societies, not only economically but also on a human level. The success of each company and each of the more than 40 direct air routes contributes to the history of friendship between our countries. A history made up above all of people. It must be acknowledged that the large Spanish community in Spain, together with the Spanish community in Germany, forms a solid bridge in our bilateral relationship, contributing substantially to the Spanish economy in various sectors, from construction, industry, and services to healthcare and education.” Our compatriots have earned the respect of local communities, and today each of these areas bears the mark of their effort and professionalism.”
After noting that “democracy is never guaranteed and must be defended and renewed every day,” Raluca Mihaila pointed out that “today, both in Spain and Romania, a culture of dialogue and mutual respect is essential to facing new challenges, such as disinformation, which divides society and diminishes trust in institutions. The answer also lies in culture. The year 2025 marked a new chapter of success in promoting Romanian cultural excellence in Spain. With the extraordinary concerts of the Madrigal Choir, we began the series of events dedicated to the celebration in 2026 of the 145th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations. The logo that will accompany us next year was chosen through a competition for young people from our countries, organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain and the Inst itutoCervantes of Bucaramanga.”
