Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar with Romanian Ambassador Mihai Coman at the Romanian National Day celebrations in Riyadh on Monday.

The opening of the Saudi Embassy in Bucharest in September 2002 was a milestone in the relations between Romania and Saudi Arabia with the exchange of high profile visits from both sides, said a source from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).

Romanian Ambassador Mihai Coman, hosted a reception here on Monday on the occasion of his country’s national day in the presence of Riyadh Gov. Prince Faisal bin Bandar.

An official from the MOFA said that in 1996 the Embassy of Romania was opened in Riyadh paving the way for strengthening diplomatic relations between the two countries. Top officials of the Shoura Council and the Romanian Senate exchanged visits to the capitals of both countries.

In April the Romanian prime minister visited Riyadh, having bilateral talks with King Salman, Crown Prince Mohammad bin Naif and Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman.

Since 2006, ties have become closer with tangible progress seen in trade and investment. Romania, which regards Saudi Arabia as an important economic partner, is keen on deepening its relations with the Kingdom.

According to the ambassador, Romania’s major exports to Saudi Arabia include agricultural crops, inorganic chemical products, wood and wood products, paper and cardboard packaging, iron and steel products, electrical engines and appliances.

There are also several hundred Romanian engineers and technicians working in the Kingdom’s oil sector.

Saudi Arabia’s exports to Romania include dates, carpets, organic chemical products and plastic goods.

“I was very excited and honored when I received the nomination to represent Romania in the Kingdom — one of the places on earth where people are very open and welcoming,” Ambassador Coman told Arab News in a separate interview.

The envoy was nominated two months ago for his second post in the country as ambassador. “When I came here four years ago, I was fascinated with the pace of construction work and the way authorities and the people are involved in building their country,” he added.

The MOFA source said that there is huge potential for further developing economic relations between the two countries.

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