ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Romania has maintained strong diplomatic ties with Iraq since establishing relations in the 1950s, Romanian Ambassador to Iraq Radu Octavian Dobre told Rudaw on Wednesday.
“From the 50s when Romania started diplomatic relations with Iraq, we have always been in excellent relations,” Dobre said, adding that Romania has contributed to Iraq’s economic development in the past and actively supported its security efforts after 2003.
“The actions of the Romanian army here were not only to fight enemies like Daesh [Islamic State] but also to make projects for the infrastructure for the benefit of the Iraqi population,” Dobre stated.
Romania is a member of the US-led global coalition against ISIS.
The ambassador highlighted Romania’s readiness to sign agreements in various fields, including defense, oil and gas, IT, research, and higher education. He noted that Romanian companies are "very interested" in working in Iraq and have conducted visits to both Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
In September, a Romanian senate delegation met with Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani. The delegation’s head, Titus Corlatean, emphasized Romania’s interest in fostering cultural and economic exchanges with Iraq and the Kurdistan Region.
Dobre also pointed out the longstanding educational ties between the two nations, saying, “Traditionally students from Iraq, including the Kurdistan Region, have visited Romania and made their studies in Romania.”
