Naveed Miraj & Shahid Qureshi
ISLAMABAD: In an event organized by Bahria University, Chargé d’Affaires Eduard-Robert Preda of the Romanian Embassy thanked the university for organizing an event and paid tribute to their national poet Mihai Eminescu.
He said that every year on January 15, Romania celebrates Culture Day, coinciding with the birthday of Eminescu, the national poet of Romania.
In his speech, he highlighted the significance of Romania’s Culture Day, initiated in 2010, and the birthday of Mihai Eminescu. Preda emphasized that this day serves to promote Romanian culture both within the country and abroad.
Preda shared details about Mihai Eminescu, who was born on June 15, 1850, and is recognized as a prolific Romanian poet and a significant figure in European literature. He underscored Eminescu’s transformative impact on Romanian poetry, creating a distinct school of poetry that resonated strongly in the West.
Eminescu’s most famous work, “Looking for the Star,” a love poem published in 1883, holds a place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest love poem in the world. Preda encouraged the audience to explore the depth of Eminescu’s poetry, available in more than 60 languages.
The Chargé d’Affaires also spoke about the enduring cultural ties between Romania and Pakistan, symbolized by a monument in Islamabad dedicated to the poets of both nations. Erected in 2004, this monument represents a blend of Romanian and Pakistani architectural elements, celebrating the cross-cultural appreciation of heritage.
In a delightful surprise for the audience, Chargé d’Affaires Preda recited a philosophical poem in Romanian, followed by an English rendition, offering a glimpse into the rich cultural tapestry of Romania.
Pakistan-Romania Relations and Collaboration Potential
Retired Major General Khalid Amir Jaffery, in his speech, highlighted the historical ties and increasing collaboration between Pakistan and Romania. He also highlighted the significance of Romania, located at the heart of Europe, sharing borders with Serbia, Hungary, Bulgaria, and Moldova, with the Black Sea in the southeast.
Maj. Gen. Jaffery delved into the rich history of Romania, noting its resilience through various empires, including the Roman Empire, the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and the Ottoman Empire. He shared a lesser-known historical anecdote, recounting how soldiers from the British Indian Army, mainly from Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, fought alongside the Romanian army in World War One.
Highlighting the diplomatic relations established in 1964, Maj. Gen. Jaffery applauded the strong support Romania provided to Pakistan, particularly in matters such as the GSP Plus issue, resulting in a significant 30% increase in Pakistan’s exports to Europe.
Turning his attention to trade relations, Maj. Gen. Jaffery acknowledged the steady growth but stressed that the trade volumes between the two countries are still below their potential. He emphasized the vast potential for export and import, estimating Pakistan’s potential export volume to be approximately €1 billion and Romania’s import value potential to be about €4.5 billion in 2021.
The retired military official highlighted the current trade dynamics, with Romania exporting wheat, cereals, wood products, chemicals, iron, and iron products to Pakistan. Meanwhile, Pakistan exports textiles, livestock, leather articles, chemical products, optical and surgical instruments to Romania. The bilateral trade has been on the rise, reaching €100 million and continuing to grow.
Underscoring the importance of people-to-people contact, Maj. Gen. Jaffery stressed the significance of cultural understanding. He commended Romania’s management of its multicultural society and advocated for increased interaction, events, and educational collaborations between the two nations.
Maj. Gen. Jaffery explored the tourism potential of both countries, highlighting Romania’s association with the legend of Dracula and the captivating landscapes. He encouraged the development of tourism in Pakistan, particularly in the northern areas, known for their breathtaking mountains.
