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Ambassador Evangelia Grammatika's speech at the event organized at the Romanian Athenaeum on the occasion of the national day of the Hellenic Republic
Your Excellencies,
Distinguished guests,
Dear compatriots and friends,
I feel great emotion that I have the honor, as ambassador of Greece, to welcome the celebration of the Revolution and the independence of Greece here in Bucharest, because in the hospitable lands of modern Romania, in Moldova and Wallachia, revolutionary ideas have found fertile ground, the patriots the Greeks mobilized and the flame of the Struggle was first kindled here, when Alexander Ypsilantis proclaimed the beginning of the Revolution of 1821. A flame that burned from one end of Greece to the other and which, after hard struggles and sacrifices, led to the creation of the modern Greek state, at the same time initiating the process of independence and creation of the other Balkan states, including modern Romania.
The bonds forged between Greeks and Romanians transcend centuries. But, most importantly, we are fortunate that, ever since the collapse of the former Soviet Union and the fall of the communist regime, Romania has joined Greece in the path of democratic nations and for twenty years now our two nations are Allies at NATO and, for almost as long as that, we are also partners in the European Union.
Our bilateral relations have been further enhancing in recent years.
The high-level meetings and contacts have been multiplying in all frameworks and fora. Moreover, a Declaration for enhancing our bilateral political, economic and sectoral relations was signed at Prime Ministers’ level two years ago (22/2/2022) and we are happy to be moving towards its implementation. Prime Minister Mitsotakis was briefly here again recently in another context and he met with his Romanian counterpart, as well as with President Iohannis and with the President of the Senate. [It was right after he had visited Odessa and met with Ukrainian President Zelensky (on March 6)].
I am very pleased to highlight that the bilateral trade, between Greece and Romania, has been going strong and I am happy to report that in the last year, in 2023, the bilateral trade volume reached 2,8 billion Euros. Moreover, in the past year Greece was ranked as the 5th biggest foreign investor in Romania. The Greek business community here is indeed very dynamic, and we are proud that a number of them have joined us here tonight.
They are adding to the numbers of the historic Greek diaspora in Romania, which includes students and scientists. The Greek communities here have more than 17.000 members and only a fraction could fit in this hall tonight. A big shoutout to all of them, as many will be watching tonight’s event, broadcasted on TVR.
Greece and Romania are likeminded on so many issues. This is very important in the face of growing challenges and threats in our neighbourhood and of an increasingly complex international context. The war in Ukraine, terrorism, the crisis in Gaza, the attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea, are compounded with novel challenges including climate change, emerging and disruptive technologies, hybrid warfare, including disinformation, that are threatening the resilience of our societies and the security of our countries.
In this fast-changing world, the values of democracy, individual liberties, human rights and the rule of law remain as pertinent as ever, as is standing up to revisionism and upholding the respect of international law and of the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter.
In this context, Greece is up for election as a non-permanent member for the United Nations Security Council for the period of 2025-2026.
Greece is a dependable partner and a pillar of stability in the wider region, committed to multilateralism, to the respect of international law and to the peaceful resolution of disputes.
Overcoming a decade long financial crisis, the Covid-19 pandemic and natural disasters, Greece is rapidly modernizing and moving fast forward with economic growth and pursuing synergies and improved connectivity in all directions.
Of particular strategic importance is enhancing the regional connectivity in the framework of all the relevant initiatives and with the support of the EU. I will include in this respect the 3 Seas Initiative, to which Greece acceded at last year’s summit held here in Bucharest, and I will highlight in particular the importance of the Trilateral cooperation between Greece, Romania and Bulgaria, pushed ahead last October at Prime Ministers’ level, with a view to promoting a multimodal corridor of energy, digital and transport infrastructure, connecting our three countries to the benefit of the resilience and security of the wider region.
Looking back, we realise that many of the aspirations of freedom and justice by the intellectuals who fermented the Greek revolution of 1821 are still pertinent today, as is the importance of perseverance and sacrifice for ensuring our values and freedom.
La multi ani, Grecia!
Traiasca prietenia eleno-romana!
(Source : Office of the Ambassador, Embassy of Greece in Bucharest)