H.E. Giles Portman,
British Ambassador to Romania
Partnership is built through people, trust, and shared purpose. This is what defines the relationship between the United Kingdom and Romania today: a strategic partnership that continues to grow in depth, relevance and ambition.
Ambassador Giles Portman welcomes Royal Air Force Typhoons in Romania for NATO Enhanced Air Policing activities
The British Embassy in Bucharest plays a central role in advancing this relationship, supporting a shared agenda focused on security, prosperity and meaningful people-to-people connections. Anchored in mutual trust, the UK–Romania partnership has evolved into a dynamic and forward-looking alliance.
In a challenging geopolitical landscape, defence and security cooperation remains fundamental. As NATO Allies, the United Kingdom and Romania work side by side to strengthen stability on the Alliance’s Eastern Flank. The redeployment of Royal Air Force Typhoon aircraft to Romania again this year, as part of NATO’s enhanced Air Policing mission, stands as a visible and enduring commitment to collective defence. Alongside joint exercises and close coordination, it reflects not only a shared approach to deterrence and regional security, but also continued solidarity with Ukraine.
Our trade and investment are also flourishing. Bilateral trade continues to grow, rising by 6% in the past year alone and surpassing £10 billion.
This progress is driven by a shared commitment to innovation and sustainable growth. British investments in telecommunications, green energy and IT are supporting Romania’s bright economic future, while Romanian businesses bring energy, creativity and expertise to the UK market. Together, these exchanges are not just boosting prosperity – they are creating jobs and improving lives.
Our cooperation also extends to law enforcement, where our joint efforts tackle complex challenges with real world impact, such as organised crime, human trafficking, financial crime and illegal migration. The close collaboration between British and Romanian authorities is a model partnership and demonstrates what can be achieved when trust, expertise and determination combine. Yet, at the heart of this relationship lies something even more powerful: connections between people. Over 1.2 million Romanians now live in the United Kingdom, forming a vibrant community that enriches British society while also maintaining strong ties to Romania. They are more than a diaspora – they are a living bridge, strengthening understanding and bringing our nations closer every day.
UK, 2025
This special connection is further deepened by the longstanding affection of His Majesty King Charles III for Romania. His genuine commitment has helped bring Romania closer to the British public, adding a uniquely personal dimension to bilateral relations. Through his foundations, he champions the preservation of rural heritage and traditions, inspiring others to follow suit. In doing so, he has supported not only cultural conservation but also the growth of sustainable tourism and a deeper appreciation of Romania’s identity.
Last but not least, at the British Embassy in Bucharest, we put open communication at the centre of our work, because we believe that engaging with government, business, civil society and the media helps ensure that the partnership between the United Kingdom and Romania remains not only strong, but also visible, understood and relevant. We communicate about policy and government. But we also engage in soft power activities, broadening our engagement and illustrating the deep connection between our countries and our people. We talk sports, music and culture, and we pay respect to both Romanian and British strengths and values.
