Romanian Embassy, Community in Luxembourg Celebrate National Day

On Friday 1 December 2023, the Romanian Ambassador to Luxembourg, Alexandrina-Livia Rusu, held a reception to celebrate the National Day of Romania.

Among the guests at this event, held at Hôtel Parc Belair, were several members of the diplomatic corps (ambassadors, etc.) in Luxembourg, as well as various political figures and members of the Romanian, Luxembourgish and other international communities.

Following the national anthems of Luxembourg and Romania, plus the European anthem, Ambassador Rusu delivered a speech, mainly in French, in which she reflected on the maintenance and development of "excellent" bilateral relations between Romania and Luxembourg in the past year. She mentioned in particular cooperation in the fields of the economy, universities, culture and the military. Notable examples included the working visit of Romanian President Klaus Iohannis to Luxembourg in February 2023 and the subsequent working visit of Luxembourg's then Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and then Defence Minister François Bausch to Cincu in Romania in September 2023. The Romanian Ambassador looked ahead to what she hoped would be a year of continued economic cooperation, mentioning an upcoming trade mission to Romania.

Turning to foreign policy and the current geopolitical and security context, she commented on Romania's "strong response" at its borders to Russian agression, as well as the importance of pursuing common goals within NATO and the European Union. The ambassador also emphasised the "crucial importance" Romania places on supporting the accession of Moldova and Ukraine to the EU.

Moreover, Ambassador Rusu reiterated Romania's "strong condemnation" of Hamas' terrorist attacks on Israel on 7 October 2023 and its support of Israel's right to self-defence - in compliance with international law. She stressed the need to free hostages and protect civilians.

She concluded her speech with a short message in Romanian for those members of the community present.

The guests later enjoyed chatting over traditional Romanian dishes, such as "sarmale" (cabbage rolls stuffed with pork) and "mămăligă" (polenta), and drinks.

Romania's National Day (also known as Great Union Day) marks the unification of various provinces with the Kingdom of Romania on 1 December 1918.

As of 1 January 2023, there were about 6,600 Romanian nationals living in Luxembourg (according to STATEC). Many of these individuals are significantly involved in the Grand Duchy's business and social communities (among other fields).

Another upcoming event marking this year's Romanian National Day in Luxembourg is a cultural celebration by the relatively new RoKultur asbl in the cultural centre in Cents on Saturday 2 December.