How do you view the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative? What are your expectations of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, to be held on May 14 and 15 in Beijing? Andrei Donciu:
The Belt and Road Initiative is an epoch-making proposal by the Chinese side, which in my view will contribute greatly to enhancing bilateral relations between China and Romania. My country was among the first European states that recognized the People’s Republic of China on October 5, 1949, and we take pride in the uninterrupted and continuously fruitful evolution of our relations of friendship and cooperation. Our relationship has grown stronger and deeper since it is built on mutual trust, true friendship and shared desire to understand and learn more and more of each other.
One of the pillars of Romanian-Chinese relations is made of frequent high-level meetings and intense political dialogue. All political entities in Romania share the interest in developing and expanding our friendly dialogue and cooperation, irrespective of their political platforms and ideologies.
Romanian and Chinese leaders meet often during bilateral visits and on the margins of international conferences and multilateral organizations. Since 2012, there have been seven such meetings between the Romanian and Chinese presidents and prime ministers.
Since September 2013, when the Silk Road Economic Belt concept was first announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping, our government has shown great interest in the opportunities and the great potential that such an initiative could have for the development of connectivity between Europe and Asia, with Romania particularly well located in Central and Eastern Europe as a key part of the huge ribbon of newly developed infrastructure that is on the way.
As a token of Romania’s interest in the Belt and Road Initiative, our country will send a delegation to the high-level dialogue of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation, headed by Gratiela Gavrilescu, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Environment.
In my view, the participation in the forum will allow for finding new ways and means of ex-