Historically, the May Revolution represents a series of events that took place from May 18th to 25th, 1810, in Buenos Aires, which finally led to the establishment of the first National Government on May 25th. Six years later we declared our independence.
The first official contacts between Argentina and Romania took place 138 years ago, when Diplomatic ties on Legation level were established on April 24th, 1931. Afterwards, the official relations between the two countries were raised to the level of an Embassy in 1964.
The bilateral relationship can be described as excellent, with a constant increasing trend over the recent years. In this regard, the economic relations represent an important factor for making the overall bilateral cooperation more dynamic.
Speaking of commercial relations, we should mention that in 2015, the bilateral trade reached 97 million dollars, while in 2016 it fell to 92 million dollars. In this that last year, Romanian exports reached 25 million dollars while their imports were for of an amount of 67 million dollars.
Argentina ranks third among the trading partners of South America and it is the fourth destination country for Romanian merchandise of this continent (after Brazil, Colombia and Chile) and the second country of origin for the merchandise imported into Romania from this geographical area.
A great deal of the Argentine exports to Romania are represented by processed foodstuffs and prepared foods for animals, especially soybean meal (soybean pellets). Citrus and others occupy second place in Argentine exports, followed by oil steel pipes. Regarding imports, the main Romanian products imported by Argentina were: vehicles components, electric boilers and equipment, electrical lighting, signaling equipment and nitrogen fertilizers.
It´s also important to highlight that in the last years agriculture has been identified as a high potential area for bilateral cooperation projects and, in this regard, meetings and visits have been carried out both with the Romanian Ministry of Agriculture and with counterparts from the local private sector.
We can be proud of the fruitful achievements on many levels, with a significant number of bilateral agreements in several areas. It´s also worth mentioning that at the end of September of 2017 an Extradition Bilateral Treaty was signed between the Argentine Government and the Romanian one.
At the moment, we are very close to sign other four very important bilateral agreements in the following areas: Culture, Social Security, Agricultural Technology and Security.
Speaking of Political cooperation, we should mention the 5th Joint Meeting of Political Consultations that took place on 29th of May 2017, in Buenos Aires, that had a huge contribution in consolidating the political bilateral relations. During that meeting, it was agreed – among other topics- to continue deepening bilateral relations in various areas such as the friendship groups existing in both parliaments and reference was made to the conclusion of the MERCOSUR-EU negotiations, as a situation where both sides benefit.
In this regard, it is worth remembering that the meeting held last January 25th with the President of the Friendship Group with the Argentine Republic in the Romanian Parliament – Deputy Daniel Suciu, while the agricultural sector and information technology were mentioned as possible sectors of bilateral cooperation. Likewise, it was also mentioned the cooperation regarding various sectors was also mentioned, such as nuclear and satellite energy. In this context, there is no doubt that increasing parliamentary relations remains a priority.
It is also worth mentioning the constant and growing presence of Argentina culture in Romania through culture. The Argentine cinema enjoys an outstanding reputation in Romania. Recently, the Cervantes Institute hosted between 11 and 14 of April an Argentine Film Festival who has enjoyed a huge success, being inaugurated by “Wild Tales”, an Oscar-nominated dark comedy.
The Argentine tango music and dance are enjoying an increasing success in Romania. There are real tango communities expressing themselves through these elements so representative of our culture. This community, formed by Romanian tango dance schools and tango lovers, gathers frequently and communicates through tango, organizing periodically events – called “milongas”- exactly in the spirit of those which take place in Buenos Aires.
In terms of Argentine literature in Romania, it is fundamental to highlight the potential of the “Programa Sur” translation project for Argentine authors – promoted by the Argentine Ministry of Foreign Relations. Thus, works of great Argentine writers have managed to come closer to the Romanian readers, being very much appreciated.
Regarding the cultural cooperation, it is also worth mentioning the visit that Dr. Tomas Abraham – philosopher and Argentine writer born in Timisoara who was recently named “Doctor Honoris Causa” from by the “Tibiscus” University in Timisoara. It was a great honor for him and for Argentina to hold this important distinction. Also this month will come José María Ulla, a musical conductor, as special guest of the new Symphonic Orchestra of the University “Babes Bolyai” (28/5). He will also participate at the Concert of the Pitesti Symphonic Orchestra (31/5).
To conclude, the aspects briefly highlighted are the evidences of the excellent relations that Argentina and Romania are enjoying and their mutual commitment to further strengthening and enhancing them.
