H.E. Ambassador Nicolae Comănescu,
Ambassador of Romania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
Against the backdrop of geopolitical uncertainty in Europe, Romania and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have developed a solid partnership that combines security cooperation, economic interdependence, and expanding industrial and technological collaboration. Rooted in shared European and transatlantic values, bilateral relations have evolved steadily in recent years, reflecting both countries’ commitment to strengthening resilience, enhancing collective security, and identifying new opportunities for cooperation. Today, relations between the two countries are more dynamic than ever before, underpinned by a broad bilateral agenda and significant potential for further growth.
This positive momentum has also been reflected in the close cooperation between the two countries in the field of cultural heritage protection. The recovery of the Golden Helmet and of the two Dacian bracelets, artifacts of exceptional importance to Romania’s national cultural heritage, represents a significant achievement resulting from the effective cooperation between Romanian and Dutch authorities. The progress in this case stands as a landmark example of international judicial cooperation and further reinforces the mutual trust underpinning bilateral relations.
The Russian Federation’s ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine has further strengthened both countries’ commitment to NATO, European security, and the rules- based international order. Romania and the Netherlands remain united in their support for Ukraine and in their efforts to strengthen Allied deterrence and defense on NATO’s Eastern Flank. The NATO Summit hosted in The Hague in June 2025 marked an important milestone in bilateral defense cooperation. High-level exchanges between Romanian and Dutch defense officials have intensified, while practical cooperation has expanded. A significant development was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the expansion of the European F-16 Training Centre in Romania, underscoring the shared commitment to strengthening Allied defense capabilities and supporting the training of Ukrainian pilots. Dutch military deployments to Romania have also contributed to enhanced surveillance and deterrence activities on NATO’s Eastern Flank.
Economic relations between the two countries continue to develop dynamically. The Netherlands remains one of Romania’s key economic partners and among the largest foreign investors in the Romanian economy. Approximately 6,300 Romanian-Dutch joint ventures operate across diverse sectors, while bilateral trade in goods reached around EUR 10 billion in 2025. On this basis, the Netherlands ranks among Romania’s top trading partners for both exports and imports.
At the same time, both countries are exploring new opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry sector. Existing complementarities between the Romanian and Dutch defense industries offer significant potential for joint projects aimed at strengthening European defense capabilities and contributing to NATO capability targets. Cooperation has also expanded in the industrial and technological sectors, where Romanian and Dutch companies are exploring joint ventures focused on near-shoring production and increasing supply-chain resilience. In the current geopolitical context, such initiatives could contribute both to regional economic development and to reducing strategic dependencies. Supported by one of the largest pools of IT specialists in Central and Eastern Europe, Romania is increasingly positioning itself as a regional technology hub. Recent
Dutch investments in microchip production and research and development projects further reflect growing confidence in the Romanian innovation ecosystem. The agri-food sector also remains an area of strong mutual interest. Dutch investors continue to play an important role in the modernisation and development of Romania’s agricultural sector, while Romania seeks to further capitalize on its considerable agricultural potential.
Last but not least, people-to-people ties remain a cornerstone of our relationship, reflected in the contribution of the Romanian community in the Netherlands and in the cultural connections between the two countries. These exchanges continue to strengthen mutual understanding and contribute to closer societal links.
Following the marking in 2025 of 145 years of diplomatic relations, Romania and the Kingdom of the Netherlands remain committed to further deepening their partnership. The evolution of bilateral relations in recent years demonstrates not only the growing strategic relevance of this cooperation, but also its potential for further expansion across security, economic, technological, and societal dimensions.
