It is an honour for me to be back in Romania as the Ambassador of Spain, after having served at our Embassy in Bucharest in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Those were times when the people of Romania bravely chose a path that has led the country towards democracy and full membership of the European Union and NATO, where it is regarded as a committed and reliable partner.
The relations between Spain and Romania have significantly grown since, in both scope and intensity. The political relation is as strong as ever in the 133-year-old history of our diplomatic ties. In the last year, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Corla_ean, the Minister of Labour, Mrs. Plumb, and the Minister Delegate for Romanians Abroad, Mr. Stanoevici, have all visited Spain, and the Spanish Minister of Justice has visited Bucharest. Both countries remain deeply committed to the Strategic Bilateral Partnership that was sealed during the visit to Spain of H.E. the Primer Minister, Victor Ponta, in July 2013.
Romania is located in a region that has recently come under the threat of instability and the unlawful revision of national borders. Spain stands by its allies, and that is why in recent weeks the frigate Almirante Juan de Borbón joined the warships of Romania and other NATO partners in military exercises in the Black Sea. Spain and Romania have also developed a close and fruitful co-operation in other fields of security, such as Home Affairs.
