Romanian-French relations under discussion in Bucharest

Bilateral and European issues are high on the agenda of the state visit which the president of France, Francois Hollande is paying to French-speaking and Francophile Romania.

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Roxana Vasile, 13.09.2016, 13:04

In 2008, French president Nicolas Sarkozy paid a working visit to Bucharest, where he signed jointly with his Romanian counterpart at the time, Traian Basescu, a strategic partnership with Romania, the first France concluded with a South-East European country. As the document was not enforced for a while, both sides needed political will to boost an excellent historical cooperation.

The relatively recent visits to Paris by Romanian President Klaus Iohannis and Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos emphasized the need for the strategic partnership to be implemented on new bases. 8 years after the visit of his predecessor Nicolas Sarkozy, President Francois Holland has decided to come to Romania. His state visit includes talks with president Iohannis and Prime Minister Ciolos, a visit to the Research Centre in Magurele, close to Bucharest, attending a business forum and inaugurating an Airbus helicopter factory in the central city of Brasov.

Romania counts on the increase of bilateral economic relations, France being its fourth biggest trade partner and fifth investor. The two countries want to reinforce the foundation of their ties, which is fairly solid as it were, being also illustrated by a very close political and cultural cooperation. As Romania is one of the European countries with the biggest economic growth, there is good potential for French small and medium-sized businesses to invest in the farm and food or energy sectors, as well as in high-performing fields, such as the building of the biggest laser in Europe in Magurele, designed for scientific research.

At the same time, Romanias exports to France have started to grow. The Romanian-French strategic partnership – President Klaus Iohannis pointed out at the end of his talks with his French counterpart – is a top priority of Romania. Iohannis said that Romanias privileged relationship with France would further be consolidated. Romania – President Francois Hollande said – wants to develop, to further integrate into the European Union.

As a prelude to President Francois Hollandes visit to Romania, the French financial newspaper Les Echos said that Bucharest was Pariss safest ally in Eastern Europe. Consequently, it is normal that, in the run up to the forthcoming European summit in Bratislava, Francois Hollande should seek support in Romania for his plan of a greater EU integration, in the wake of the Brexit vote. Unlike other East European countries – Les Echos writes – Romania is loyal to the European spirit, abiding by the pledges it has made.

(Translated by AM Palcu)