[Interview] “Romania, impetus for enhancing Strategic Partnership with Korea”

The demand of travel is exlpoding due to Corona 19 endemic, and the travel industry’s visit to Korea is increasing. The expectations for overseas travel have been amplified as the COVID-19 incident, which began in February 2020, has increased the thirst of travelers who couldn’t travel abroad due to the closure of the sky. Travel demand is also expected to be huge. According to the survey of CICI, the thing people want to do the most is ‘traveling abroad’ when the COVID-19 becomes stable.

Furthermore, there are countries where you can immigrate freely without certificates related to Corona 19 in Europe. Those countries are Norway, Liechtenstein, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Romania, etc. There are embassies showing their countries’ charm for travelers who want to feel the romance of Europe. For this issue, Cheonji Daily News had a written interview with Cezar Armeanu, the Ambassador of Romania in Korea to hear about the recent situation in Romania as an Eastern European republic, and the culture of Romania.

The recent issue is the war between Ukraine (where borders northern Romania) and Russia.

Romania is bordered by Ukraine to the north, Moldova to the east, Hungary and Serbia to the west, and Bulgaria to the south by the Donau River. The border distance between Romania and Ukraine is 649.4㎞, and Romania is directly affected by the recent intensified war between Ukraine and Russia.

Where war breaks out, no one can enjoy peace. Since the outbreak of the war, Romania has criticized Russia’s attack on Ukraine as unjustified and unreasonable, citing its illegal military attacks violating national security and international agreements.

“There are worrisome developments in Ukraine which may have emboldened other leaders,” Ambassador Armeanu said. “Romania supports all efforts aimed at de-escalating the situation and protecting civilians. We hope the ongoing negotiations between Ukraine and the Russian Federation will lead to concrete results,” he stressed. “In order to prove faith in the negotiations, Russia must immediately stop all military operations,” he said. “Romania believes it is very important to join efforts to prevent illegal wars between Ukraine and Russia,” he explained.

He considered the current war in Ukraine as one of the darkest moments in our recent history, not just for Ukraine, but also for all the world. He also criticized the murders in Buka, outside of Mariupol, Ukraine, for proving Russian crimes and genocide against humanity committed on Ukrainian territory.

Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs had a cooperation with Korean Embassy on supporting the plans for evacuations of Korean co-nationals from Ukraine, as well as the members of Korean diplomatic mission. Romanian Consular Department and the National Department for Emergency Situations provided the necessary assistance on the matter.

The cooperation of Romania with South Korea to support South Korea’s joint Ukrainian national and diplomatic mission members is an important step in the long-term exchange between the 2 countries.

Ambassador Armeanu suggested that ▲the 2 countries enhance the dialogue at the level of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs ▲organizing regular bilateral meetings and giving a new impetus for attaining the goals of the Strategic Partnership, in order to encourage a more pragmatic, future-oriented bilateral cooperation, updated to the new economic and geopolitical environment.

He expressed a plan to promote continuous cooperation between the 2 countries. “We are working to prepare this year the exchange visits between the Friendship Parliamentary Groups and to organize, as soon as possible, the 10th session of the Joint Committee for Industrial Cooperation, back-to-back with a business forum,” he said.

Ambassador Armeanu wants to let many Koreans know the beauty of Romania.

“Romanian natural features are unique in Europe,” he said. “Our country enjoys the Carpathians, with their areas of true wilderness, and the beauty of the Danube Delta, as well as extensive plains scattered with little natural and cultural treasures and of course the Black Sea,” he explained.

He said that Romania has medieval castles, a lot of alpine landscapes to enjoy hiking in summer and skiing in winter. He also stressed that there are old villages and internationally recognized painted churches in Bucovina. “Romania has millions of beauties of which few know,” he said. “Romanians are well known for their hospitality and friendship and for their good sense of humor. The stories of these places will surely fascinate the Korean people,” he said.

Armeanu said Korean culture and products are popular in Romania, and explained that Korean classical musicians have won the most prestigious trophy at the George Enescu International Festival in Romania in recent years. “We have already sent the Romanian National Opera a proposal to be signed an Agreement of partnership with the Korean National Opera,” he said.

He stressed friendly cultural exchanges between the 2 countries. “The K-pop artists performed as well on the Romanian stages. In June a K-pop band will travel to Bucharest for a concert,” he said.

Ambassador Armeanu said the first place he visited in Seoul was Namsan Tower. He kept the moment as a precious memory because he could see the wonderful view of Seoul from the rooftop. He also visited various places in Korea, including Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Bukchon Hanok Village. “I visited the Insadong district, with authentic art exhibitions and traditional handcraft shops, then Myeongdong district. Here I was happy to watch the Nanta show, a burlesque performance with acrobatics and comic moments,” he said

“I remember my favorite museums that I visited: National Museum of Korea with impressive collections of history and culture, and the Museum of the Craft Art Seoul, with galleries that bring together traditional and modern crafts,” he explained.

He said he tested and enjoyed bulgogi, bibimbap, samgyeopsal, doenjang jjigae and the diversity of kimchi.

He recalled the delicious food he ate at a Korean restaurant. “I remember the amazing first experience of a Korea BBQ restaurant with grilled meat slices and lots of bowls with side dishes, salads, pickles and all kinds of spices. It was great,” he stressed.