The Institute of Strategic Studies Islamabad (ISSI) organised a Public Talk on “Pakistan-Romanian Relations” under its Ambassadors Platform series on August 3, 2016. The distinguished speaker on the occasion was H.E. Emilion Ion,Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Pakistan.
Ambassador Khalid Mahmood, Chairman Board of Governors ISSI, in his welcome remarks highlighted that Ambassador Emilion Ion is a very seasoned, knowledgeable, and accessible diplomat, with 45 years of expertise in bilateral and multilateral diplomacy. Along with ambassadorship to Arab and African countries, he has also been part of multilateral organizations. He said that over his seven and a half years stay in Pakistan; Ambassador Emilion has indeed left a mark on strengthening relations between Pakistan and Romania and helped the former in establishing an oil refinery, fertilizer and cement factories, as well as extended its cooperation at multilateral forums. He recalled Pakistan and Romania cooperation at the United Nations during the 1970s, the slump in relations following the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and the boost in relations when Romania joined the EU in 2007. Ambassador Mahmood said that Pakistan remained grateful of the Romanian support to Pakistan’s access to the GSP plus status. He pointed out the various economic cooperation agreements that have recently been signed between the two countries including the agriculture and education sectors, and said that Pakistan’s Chairman, Joint Chiefs of the Staff Committee is expected to have visit Romania in September, 2016.
