Romanian envoy vows enhanced trade ties

LAHORE
Ambassador of Romania in Pakistan Emilion Ion Saturday said Pakistan and Romania enjoy friendly relations while the bilateral ties will be enhanced and strengthened by further promoting business and people-to-people contact.
He was speaking at a ceremony organized by the Friends of Romania in connection with celebrating National Day of Romania at a local hotel.
Honorary Consul General of Romania in Lahore Usman Peerzada, actor and director Samina Peerzada, former secretary interior Khawaja Muhammad Siddiq Akbar who is Patron of Friends of Romania, Punjab Population Welfare Minister Begum Zakia Shahnawaz, Adviser to CM Punjab on Health Khawaja Salman Rafiq, former education minister Imran Masood, people from business community and others attended the event.
A cake-cutting ceremony was also held on the occasion.
The Romanian ambassador further said last year Romania celebrated 50 years of diplomatic relations with Pakistan and particularly mentioned the contributions of Romanian engineers and specialists in National Oil Refinery in Karachi as well as the Pakistani cement industry.
He added Romania had been vocal vis-à-vis the award of GSP-Plus status to Pakistan from the European Union (EU).
Emilion said Lahore was the cultural capital of Pakistan and that was why Usman Peerzada was appointed as his country’s honorary consul general in this city.
“Besides business relations, the two countries have strong cultural and academic ties as well”, the diplomat and lauded the role of Pakistan Romania Business Council and Friends of Romania.
Talking to reporters, Peerzada said strong economic ties could not be achieved without strong cultural ties.
He said recently Romania had announced scholarship opportunities for countries outside the European Union and said Pakistani students should take maximum benefit from such wonderful opportunities to explore and learn.
He particularly mentioned education in the medical field in Romania, saying that the country was officering world class medical education.
He also lauded the efforts of Emilion for bringing the two countries closer.
Peerzada said the Romanian ambassador also visited the Lahore Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) on Saturday and had invited business delegates to his country to enhance trade ties between the two countries.