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Calin Popescu-Tariceanu, presented with France's Knight of the Legion of Honour decoration
On Thursday at the French Embassy in Bucharest, Chairman of Romania's Senate Calin Popescu-Tariceanu was presented France's Knight of the Legion of Honour decoration, at a ceremony also attended by Princess Margareta, Prince Radu, former presidents Ion Iliescu and Emil Constantinescu, along with political figures and more.
In his speech, Tariceanu said he is honoured to be awarded the decoration, adding that France is a country to which Romanians feel connected through many historical ties.
Tariceanu also mentioned the common history of Romania and France, saying that history connects Romanians and French more than the strategic partnership between them.
"France has always been a bit sentimental when it comes to Romanians. That is something that makes us emotional and I believe it underpins the special relationship between the two peoples and countries. Such a historical partnership, such a highly special relationship fully deserves being furthered into the decades to come," said Tariceanu.
Pointing to the political ties in time between Romania and France, Tariceanu mentioned former French President Jacques Chirac.
"Through his political actions, he showed he was a big friend of the Romanian people and an essential support for Romania's cause in Europe, for its reinsertion with the Euro-Atlantic organisations," said Tariceanu.
The Senate chairman also mentioned the cultural ties between Romania and France, highlighting what he calls a Francophile attitude that is specific of Romanians.
"The rebirth of the Francophone spirit after 1989 and even of a certain Francophile attitude specific of Romanians were nothing but meeting again the values that are an integral part of our national culture, as it has been configured over the past two centuries. That is why we should encourage any signs of congregation when it comes to the cultural ties between our counties, cooperation in the area of the Francophonie, education at any level, arts and literature," added Tariceanu.
Among the politicians having attended the decoration ceremony on Thursday at the French Embassy were former finance ministers Daniel Chitoiu and Sebastian Vladescu; former Culture Minister Daniel Barbu; former Minister of Transportation Ovidiu Silaghi; MEP Norica Nicolai; Senator Georgica Severin; MP Bogdan Niculescu Duvaz; former presidential adviser Zoe Petre; former Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SIE) Teodor Melescanu, along with pianist Dan Grigore and retired tennis player Ilie Nastase.