On June 14, 1880, U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the official letter informing Romania’s ruler, Prince Carol I, of the appointment of Eugene Schuyler as the first American diplomatic agent and Consul General to Romania. That letter marked the formal establishment of diplomatic ties between our two nations.
President Hayes, a Republican deeply committed to liberty and democracy, championed in his foreign policy the recognition of emerging nations taking steps toward modernization and openness to the Western world. In that spirit, the United States’ gesture toward Romania—at a time when our country was asserting its independence—was not just diplomatic, but symbolic: a message of support for a sovereign, modern European state.
Another defining chapter in our relationship came at the end of World War I, when President Woodrow Wilson, through his Fourteen Points address to Congress, firmly upheld the principle of national self-determination. His vision provided critical legitimacy to the aspirations of the Romanian people for unification, ultimately contributing to the international recognition of Greater Romania in 1918. The moral and political support of the United States played a vital role in this historic process, further strengthening the bond between our peoples.
On this anniversary, we once again express our sincere gratitude to the United States for its steadfast support during defining moments in Romania’s modern history. We deeply value the long and complex journey of our bilateral relationship—one that, despite moments of divergence, has grown stronger through openness, dialogue, and mutual trust. This partnership has been consistently supported by a vibrant Romanian-American community and by the strong pro-American sentiment shared widely across Romanian society.
Notably, today’s celebration of 145 years of diplomatic relations also coincides with the birthday of the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump. This meaningful overlap offers an opportunity to highlight the excellent cooperation between our countries during his previous term—marked by enhanced collaboration in defense, strategic investment, and energy. The Romanian Government is committed to continuing this close partnership across all areas, grounded in shared values and common strategic interests.
In today’s complex regional and global context, Romania reaffirms the importance of maintaining a strong transatlantic relationship and of deepening our strategic partnership with the United States for the benefit of both our nations.
Romania remains a reliable ally of the United States—firmly committed to the goals of the Strategic Partnership for the 21st Century and a dedicated contributor within NATO. We welcome the growing cooperation in the field of defense, with tangible results in joint capability development and strategic infrastructure on NATO’s Eastern Flank.
At the same time, we are determined to expand the economic dimension of our partnership. Romania offers strong potential for development and modernization, and the Government actively supports greater American investment—particularly in key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, digital technology, and the defense industry. Such investments not only strengthen the Romanian economy but also deepen our strategic connection.
We aim to promote a deeper economic partnership based on transparency, trust, and mutual benefit. Romania seeks to be a predictable and welcoming destination for American capital—a stable and serious partner offering long-term opportunities.
Equally important, we support continued cooperation in education, research, and cultural exchange, confident that people-to-people ties and academic collaboration will further solidify our mutual understanding and long-term partnership.
On this special anniversary, we extend our deep appreciation to our American partners for their openness, support, and collaboration over the years, and reaffirm our firm commitment to building an even more dynamic, forward-looking bilateral relationship anchored in common interests and shared values.