Romanian envoy hosts farewell for colleagues

Islamabad

Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, Ambassador of Argentina Rodolfo Martin-Saravia and spouse Susana will be leaving Pakistan at the end of March but farewell events for them have been going on since the end of December 2015 and there are many to come! This indicates their popularity with both the diplomatic community and Pakistanis from different walks of life.

Over the weekend Ambassador of Romania Emilion Ion hosted a buffet dinner at his residence which was a well attended affair and the Dean was not the only guest of honour — four other envoys who are leaving before him were also feted, High Commissioner of Bangladesh Sohrab Hosain; High Commissioner of Britain Philip Barton; Ambassador of Japan Hiroshi Inomata and Ambassador of Sweden Tomas Rosander.

In his address the host who has also been here for a long time, said that not only was Rodolfo a colleague he was a very good friend and they had enjoyed many activities together. “As Dean, Rodolfo has looked after our interests and welfare; arranged exciting trips in collaboration with the Foreign Office to places we would not have seen otherwise and been a help and support in various situations,” he said. “We will miss him but wish him all the best in the future.” There were humourous exchanges between him and his chief guest during this speech and they created a light hearted mood in the gathering – the two are well known for pulling each other’s leg in fun!

Speaking of his other colleagues in turn, the host praised their diplomatic skills and said they had been very active and become well known in a short time. He wished them success in the future and hoped they would meet again sometime, someplace. He concluded by presenting the ladies a bouquet of flowers and mementoes of a Pakistani handicraft item for the house to each couple, “So they can look at them and think of Pakistan and me!”

In his response the chief guest thanked his host and said he knew when he was asked to give a date that a big farewell party would be arranged by him because of their friendship and his generous nature. After saying many complimentary things about Pakistan and its people and the many friends he had he concluded with a joke about the position of Dean (the Romanian ambassador is second in line for the position) all in good humour, adding he had a good rapport with his host and they often joke with each other. “Our friendship began when Emilion arrived here and hopefully will continue after I leave,” he said. “I have spent many wonderful years in Pakistan and will definitely return — who knows Emilion may still be here and break my record!” 

The other guests of honour also thanked the host; said nice things about their colleagues and Pakistani friends; a few words about their experiences and how they were sad to leave and concluded by wishing Pakistan peace and prosperity.

Dinner was served; guests helped themselves and sat and ate wherever they wanted as the whole hose had been opened up to accommodate the guests, while lively music played for their enjoyment.