Romania and Pakistan are exploring deeper cooperation in trade, investment, defence, education, technology and cultural exchanges, Romanian Ambassador to Pakistan Dr Dan Stoenescu said on Thursday. He was speaking at a "Meet the Press" session at the National Press Club in Islamabad, where he met more than 100 journalists.

The ambassador highlighted more than six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries, established on 15 October 1964, describing a friendship built on mutual respect, shared interests and constructive dialogue. He said Romania had contributed to Pakistan's industrial development in earlier decades, particularly through technical expertise in the oil, cement and fertiliser sectors, and that the two countries could build on that legacy in renewable energy, information technology, agriculture, industrial innovation and infrastructure.

Trade below its potential

Describing economic diplomacy as a key priority, Stoenescu said bilateral trade currently stood at approximately $156 million, a level he said did not reflect the full potential of the two economies. He argued that Romania's membership of the European Union and its position as an industrial and logistical hub in Central and Eastern Europe could give Pakistani businesses access to European markets, while Pakistan offered opportunities for Romanian companies through its entrepreneurial sector, industrial capabilities and growing technological expertise. He also said Pakistan needed to deepen structural reforms to make full use of the EU's GSP+ trade preferences.

Ports and people-to-people links

Maritime connectivity featured prominently, with attention to the memorandum of understanding signed in March 2026 between the Port of Constanța and Karachi Port Trust, and to a Pakistani business delegation's visit to Romania and the Pakistan–Romania Business Forum in Bucharest in October 2026. The ambassador also spoke about the impact of Russia's war against Ukraine on Romania and Black Sea security. Sources: Sub News and Global News Pakistan.