H. E. Özgür Kıvanç Altan,
Ambassador of the Republic of Türkiye in Bucharest
Türkiye shares historical, deep-rooted and traditionally positive relations with Romania. Especially over the last decades, our relations have been enhanced remarkably.
We are strategic partners, NATO Allies and neighbours in the Black Sea. Today, our cooperation is so comprehensive that it encompasses virtually every field of activity, including military and defence industry collaboration, economic and commercial partnership, cultural and human-to-human ties.
We established the Türkiye-Romania High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council in 2024 in Ankara. We are planning to hold the next Council meeting in the coming period on the occasion of the long-awaited state visit of H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, President of Türkiye, to Romania. President Erdoğan’s visit to Romania, after 11 years, will serve as a milestone in our relations for many years to come. The visit and the Council meeting will be accompanied by a Business Council and it will give us an apt opportunity to elevate our relations to the next level. Various agreements and documents will be signed during the visit.
We are NATO Allies and it is one of the most important assets of our relations. Türkiye demonstrated strong support for Romania during its accession to NATO in 2004. Together, we contribute to our region’s security and stability by carrying out joint activities both at bilateral level and within NATO.
Four Turkish F-16 warplanes served in the Romanian air space within the NATO Air Policing mission for four months in 2024. They will take part in this mission again by the end of this year.
Together for the Security of the Black Sea
The Black Sea and its security are of paramount importance both for Türkiye and Romania. Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, we have acted together to ensure the Black Sea’s security and stability. With the participation Bulgaria, as three littoral Allies, we have established the Mine Countermeasures Black Sea (MCM Black Sea). Our navies work together to maintain the peace and safety of navigation in our common sea. It demonstrates our countries’ determination and motivation to maintain peace and security in the strategically important Black Sea.
Robust Defence Industry Cooperation
Our defence industry ties are growing and has a significant potential. Romania’s procurement of world-wide famous and combat-proven Turkish Bayraktar TB2 drones has paved the way for our future cooperation. All 18 drones are delivered to Romania and it is the second EU country after Poland that is using Turkish TB2 drones.
Turkish companies are ready for joint production and technology transfer. As an example of this, Otokar, one of Türkiye’s largest defence companies, has signed the contract to supply 1,059 Light Armored Vehicles, namely COBRA-II, to Romania in 2024. The first 278 vehicles have been already produced at Otokar facilities in Türkiye and delivered to Romanian Army. The remaining vehicles are being produced in Romania. Otokar has made a strategic investment decision as part of this project and acquired the Romanian company, Automecanica, and its factory in Mediaş in order to produce the vehicles here in Romania. This cooperation shows that the Turkish willingness for joint production and technology transfer with its Allies are not just words, but a reality.
Last but not least, I consider the Romanian procurement of TCG Akhisar light corvette from Türkiye as one of the most symbolic collaboration between the two countries’ defence industry collaboration path. Such a form of cooperation is unprecedented in recent history. Romania acquired a brand-new war ship that was initially produced for the Turkish navy. The handover ceremony of the ship was realized in Istanbul on 20 June 2026, with the participation of our President, H.E. Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and H.E. Mr. Nicuşor Dan, President of Romania. I am confident that our cooperation in the field of defence industry will only grow in the coming years. I am pleased to see the common will on the both sides to work to this end.
Economic Cooperation: One of the Locomotives of the Relations
We are significant partners in the fields of economy, trade and investments. While Türkiye is Romania’s largest trade partner outside the EU, Romania is the most important trade partner of Türkiye in Central and Eastern Europe.
Our trade volume with Romania surpassed 13 billion US Dollars last year. Our goal is to reach 15 and then 20 billion Dollars. There are nearly 20 thousand Turkish firms registered in Romania. Turkish investments in Romania are thought to be over 14 billion US Dollars.
These figures give a striking evidence of the capacity and potential of our economic relations and bilateral trade. The Turkish companies in Romania operate in a vast variety of areas ranging from automotive industry to banking, from health to house appliances. They contribute greatly to the economy of Romania. They create jobs, productions and they are among the top tax payers of the country.
Additionally, Turkish construction companies have been undertaking significant public infrastructure projects in Romania especially over the last three years. Our companies are in high demand because they have the resources, capacity, and expertise and they can deliver in time. They can work in hardships, such as high altitude or harsh weather conditions and take risks most companies cannot. Our companies have the international expertise and they put it to use for the benefit of Romania.
Cultural and Human-to-Human Ties – Backbone of the Relations
For more than half a millennium, our peoples have lived side by side, influencing one another’s cuisine, music, architecture, and traditions. The Dobruja region remains a living testimony to this shared past. Turkish and Turkish Tatar communities have long lived in harmony alongside their Romanian neighbours. They contributed to the richness of Romania’s multicultural identity.
Our people-to-people ties continue to grow. Thousands of Romanian tourists visit Türkiye each year, discovering not only our country but also our hospitality. Romanian citizens can visit Türkiye only with their identity cards, they do not need a passport. At the same time, Turkish tourists come to Romania and they are amazed at the beauties of Romania.
NATO Ankara Summit – A Crucial Moment for the North Atlantic Alliance
Ankara Summit on 7-8 July 2026 will take place at a crucial moment for the North Atlantic Alliance. It will provide a timely opportunity to review the progress in the implementation of the Hague commitments. It will also set the scene for new deliverables about the future of Euro- Atlantic security. Reaffirming Allied unity and solidarity, the linkage between defence expenditure, defense industry capacity and capability development, as well as a stronger European pillar are expected to be among the main agenda items of the Summit.
After the Summit, we expect NATO to become more capable, more resilient and more European in terms of responsilibity, while preserving strong transatlantic bonds and a 360-degree security approach.
Türkiye and Romania – Looking Towards the Future
As we look towards the future, the bond between Türkiye and Romania stands as a testament to the power of enduring friendship and mutual trust. Moving forward, our shared will to further enhance our bilateral relations, deepen our strategic alliance, and expand our multifaceted cooperation remains unwavering. By working hand in hand, Türkiye and Romania will continue to not only unlock new opportunities for our nations but also serve as a vital pillar of peace, stability, and security in our shared region. Together, as allies and partners, we are fully committed to shaping a safer, more prosperous tomorrow.
