INE ’CLOCK N SUPPLEMENTS Greece - 197 Years of Independence H.E. Mr. Vassilis Papadopoulos, Congratulatory message Ambassador of Hellenic Republic in Romania: from Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Romania and Greece, traditional friends and Sharing a common history since ancient allies, enhance their relationship in all fields of times, Romania and Greece are proudly honoring mutual interest, towards a prosperous future today the past for projecting an within the EU enhanced partnership in the future g Page 4 g Page 4 The Positive Impetus Christodoulos Seferis, President of the Hellenic Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce: of Bilateral Economic & Commercial Greece - one of the most Relations Continues modern member states of the European Union g Page 6 g Page 7 PAGE 4 SPECIAL NINE O’CLOCK • FRIDAY-SUNDAY, MARCH 23-25 2018 H.E. Mr. Vassilis Papadopoulos, Ambassador of Hellenic Republic in Romania: Romania and Greece, traditional friends and allies, enhance their relationship in all fields of mutual interest, towards a prosperous future within the EU On the 25th of March, we, the Greek the Trilateral Format of the Ministers Tourist Offices of Romania, Greece steadi- people, celebrate the 197th anniversary of Foreign Affairs of Greece, Bulgaria and ly remains a summer destination for the 1821 Revolution against the Ottoman Romania (held in Bucharest), Ministers more than 1,3 million Romanian rule that led to the founding of the Hellenic Kotzias, Zaharieva and Melescanu stressed tourists. The flights between Bucharest Republic. In Romania, the celebration has a once more our three countries’ firm support and Athens are frequent, since 3 airline special significance for the Greek people, for a stronger, consolidated, cohesive and companies are currently connecting the two since the first heroic battles took place here, prosperous European Union and under- capitals. We hope that the strong cultural in Dragasani and Focsani. It is of great lined the key importance of our neighbour- links between our countries will inspire importance the fact that the struggle for ing regions for the security and stability in also more Greek tourists to visit Greek Independence started from the Europe. They also acknowledged that a safe, Romania. peaceful and prosperous neighbourhood of Principalities, being organised and support- In the field of culture and education, we ed by “Filiki Etaireia”, a patriotic association our countries is of direct interest for the European and the Euro-Atlantic area as a should underline the valuable contribution created by the prosperous and important of the Bucharest Branch of the Hellenic Greek diaspora. Nowadays, the flourishing whole. Last, but not least, they stressed the interest of our three member states to pur- Foundation of Culture, the outstanding Hellenic community in Romania is con- Department of Greek Studies of the tributing remarkably to the creation of close sue a close dialogue on EU affairs towards the common objective to consolidate the University of Bucharest, the Lectorate of ties between our two countries. European project. Greek Language of the University of Iasi, Due to our longstanding friendship and As far as the economy field is concerned the Greek School of Bucharest “Athena”, as our historic and cultural ties, our high-level ,the continuous inflow of Greek Direct well as the educational and cultural activity political cooperation is growing even Investments, despite the crisis, represents of the Hellenic Union of Romania and the stronger. Our two countries work together one of the core characteristics of the Greek Cultural Association “Nostos”. in bilateral, European, Euro-Atlantic and er of the accession of Romania to the economic and trade relations between the Furthermore, a centuries old tradition of multilateral level and also within the frame- Schengen area. Our countries, aiming at two countries. At the end of 2017, the Publishing Houses is still active, promoting work of many international and regional consolidating stability and development in invested capital of Greek companies in publications concerning Greek history, cul- organizations. Since the 1990’s, Greece our neighbourhood, also work closely with- Romania was estimated around 1,82 bi- ture and politics to Romanian readers. spared no effort to strongly support in the framework of the South East llion euros. The number of registered Romania in its aspirations to join both Moreover, it is worth mentioning that at Cooperation Process (SEECP), the Black companies of Greek capital or participa- least 1,000 Greek students study at NATO and EU. Today, our two countries Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the tion reached the amount of 6,988. The Romanian Universities. are strong partners and allies within the EU Southeast European Law Enforcement total value of the Greek Direct Invest- and NATO, maintain excellent relations Center (SELEC). Greece and Romania also Last but not least, the Greek presence in ments in Romania exceeds the amount of Romania is also enhanced by an active and are connected with strong ties of soli- work jointly towards achieving the diversifi- 4 billion euros. According to these data, Diaspora. The Hellenic Union of Romania darity and multifaceted cooperation in cation of energy supply sources and routes Greece ranks 7th among the foreign many areas of common interest. We both and towards developing important regional investors in Romania. About 20,000 job represents the historical community, which, support the strengthening of the European energy infrastructure projects, including positions have been created in Romania by inspired by an outstanding past, looks for- project by means of enhancing the unity natural gas interconnectors and relevant Greek businesses during the years. The ward to the future with dynamism and cre- and cohesion in the EU. In this respect, we international projects (TAP, IGB/IBR) as bilateral Chamber of Commerce and ativity. both believe that european integration well as the enhancement of the role of the Industry, in Bucharest, contributes sig- In conclusion, allow me to stress my should remain firmly focused on a set of Energy Union in Southeastern Europe, aim- nificantly towards the strengthening of the optimism that our long standing friendship principles of utmost importance for both ing at the creation of energy networks which economic ties between the two countries. and our fruitful multilevel cooperation will the Union itself and its citizens, namely will connect Southeastern Europe with Another very important field of colla- create mutually advantageous results and democracy, solidarity and the rule of law. Central and Northern Europe. A few days boration between Greece and Romania is more opportunities for a prosperous future Moreover, Greece remains a steady support- ago, on March the 12th, at the Meeting of tourism. According to the Association of that our two countries deserve. Congratulatory message from Romania’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Sharing a common history since ancient times, Romania and Greece are proudly honoring today the past for projecting an enhanced partnership in the future The celebration of the National Day of affairs of Romania, Bulgaria and Greece The two communities - the Romanian bring its contribution to the further consoli- the Hellenic Republic, on the 25th of March, proved that we are firmly committed to one in Greece and the Hellenic one in dation of the European project, sustaining provides us with the pleasure to extend, on intensify the dialogue and enhance our coop- Romania - have an essential role in strength- and promoting pro-European solutions and behalf of Romania, our heartfelt congratula- eration, as countries from the same region, ening the ties between our countries. For so policies that will bring added value to the tions to all the Greek people. with many similar views. many centuries, they stand as a defining ele- integration process, such as the ones in the The priceless value this day brings to light Besides political dialogue, there is much ment for our relations, revealing their long- field of cohesion and convergence or regard- is one of the most sacred ideals for interest from both countries in further devel- standing tradition, as well as the joint com- ing EU relations with its neighbors. humankind: freedom. And it was this outcry oping their economic and sectoral coopera- mitment of our peoples to further consoli- While recalling that the ancestors of our - „Freedom or death!” that sparked the Greek tion. In terms of trade exchanges, the current date the solid bridge of friendship that unites peoples have lived together in peace and Revolution for Independence almost two trend is more than encouraging, as they are at us. Regional cooperation is another impor- understanding in this area since times lost in centuries ago, which found its echo in other their best moment in the history of econom- tant component of our dialogue, as it illus- the mist of history, Romania and Greece are several areas inhabited by peoples driven by ic relations between Romania and Greece, trates our joint objectives to further ensure today pillars of stability in a region not hid- the same ideal, including in a part of modern with a total amount of almost 1,8 bld. Euro and consolidate peace, security and stability den from challenges, but also with important Romania. We are truly proud that our pred- in 2017. Through joint efforts, we have in our common area, while firmly supporting opportunities to explore and capitalize. ecessors, both Romanian and Greek, gath- worked for boosting the relations in this the Euro-atlantic perspective of the aspiring Therefore, we need to further act responsibly, ered their strong believes and common aspi- domain, one relevant example being the states in the region. We have convergent placing dialogue at the core of the relations rations around this burning ideal, for which event „Doing business in Romania”, which objectives and interests on a number of files with all our partners, while remaining com- they were ready to pay the ultimate price and took place in July 2017 at the Chamber of such as the Western Balkans, the Eastern mitted to the values we believe in.