The Romanian embassy in Athens is planning a series of events throughout the year in 2025, to mark the 145th anniversary since Greece and Romania established diplomatic relations, Romanian Ambassador in Athens Carmen Ileana Mihălcescu revealed in statements to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
She noted that diplomatic ties between the two countries date back to March 5, 1880 when the diplomatic representative of King Carol I of Romania presented his credentials to King George I of Greece, a few weeks after Greece recognised Romania's independence, on February 23 the same year. Romania's diplomatic representation was then upgraded to a fully-fledged embassy in 1939.
Among others, she pointed out that the first foreign minister of united Romania, in 1862, was Apostol Arsache, known in Greece as Apostolos Arsakis, who was one of the great benefactors of Greece, while one of the schools bearing his name is next door to the embassy.
One of the events being organised by the embassy is an exhibition entitled "Kidnapping from the Serai" by Romanian painter Eugen Raportoru and a book outlining the history of the two countries' bilateral relations published on the occasion of the 145th anniversary.
"In conclusion, the year 2025 has great significance for Romanian-Greek relations and In wish to pay proper tribute to this milestone. Therefore, in collaboration with local and national partners, we will continue to organise significant events of public and cultural diplomacy with a real impact," the ambassador concluded.