Romania and Italy are "strong allies", Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Toiu declared on Tuesday in Rome, also bringing to mind that bilateral trade last year surpassed the 20 billion mark.
Toiu, who is on an official visit to Italy, met with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani.
"We have close cooperation between individuals and communities. Over a million Romanians live here, well integrated into the local communities, contributing to both the Italian and Romanian society and relying on our good relations and strong ties at governmental level to organize their lives, careers and businesses," Oana Toiu declared at the end of the discussions.
She highlighted Italy's contribution to NATO and to the air policing missions that have become increasingly important on the eastern flank, from the Black Sea northwards.
"Romania is particularly grateful for this, as together we prove that we have not just the deterrence and defense capacity required to repel any potential interference on our territory, but also to help our neighbors in the region maintain peace and to also support all the states in the region on their European path," the minister said.
Toiu stressed that both states back the European Union enlargement process.
She also recalled that 2026 will be the year of cultural diplomacy between Romania and Italy, and that on December 1 the Bucharest National Orchestra and the National Opera will be present in Rome.
A Brancusi exhibition will also open in the Italian capital in February next year.
"The first six months of 2026 are based on the presence of Romanian culture here, in Italy, and the second half of 2026 will be dedicated to the presence of Italian culture in Romania. We will start on December 1, with Puccini and Enescu," Oana Toiu also said.
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