Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — Romania and Uzbekistan are marking the 31st anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations on 6 October. On the occasion, Romanian Ambassador to Uzbekistan Daniel Cristian Ciobanu sent a congratulatory message to the people of Uzbekistan.
In his message, the diplomat highlighted the importance of bilateral relations and expressed his wish for further development of mutually beneficial cooperation.
“Romania highly values its relations with Uzbekistan,” the ambassador said, adding that Bucharest views Uzbekistan as an important partner in Central Asia.
Ciobanu said Romania was ready to support deeper cooperation between the European Union and Uzbekistan, as well as the promotion of new joint projects of mutual interest that contribute to regional stability and strengthen connectivity between the two regions.
The message also highlighted the development of trade and economic ties. According to Uzbekistan’s National Statistics Committee, bilateral trade between the two countries increased by more than 377% in 2020–2025. At the same time, 2025 was one of the most productive years in the history of Romanian-Uzbek relations in terms of the value of bilateral trade.
In the transport sector, the ambassador noted the signing in Tashkent on 27 November 2025 of a protocol amending the agreement between the governments of Romania and Uzbekistan on cooperation in international road transit transport, dated 6 June 1996. The document was signed by Uzbekistan’s transport minister and Romania’s ambassador.
Cooperation in civil aviation is also continuing. On 30 September 2026, Romania’s Civil Aviation Authority and the Uzavia Agency signed a memorandum of understanding in Tashkent.
In the diplomatic sphere, Ciobanu highlighted the first bilateral consular consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries, held via videoconference in March 2026.
Parliamentary ties have also developed. In September 2026, Senator Elena-Adelina Dobra visited Uzbekistan to participate in the 12th World Conference of Young Parliamentarians of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Cultural and humanitarian cooperation featured prominently in the message. Among the key events, the ambassador highlighted the Romanian education minister’s visit to Uzbekistan in October 2025 and the participation of a Romanian delegation in the 43rd session of the UNESCO General Conference in Samarkand.
In 2026, the Embassy of Romania organized a creative workshop in Tashkent dedicated to Romanian folk traditions and the celebration of the beginning of spring. In May, the diplomatic mission presented Romanian cuisine at the 22nd International Charity Festival of Cultural Traditions and National Cuisine.
A Romanian-French poetry evening dedicated to poet Gherasim Luca was also held in Tashkent in March. In April, photo exhibitions were held focusing on the “Path of Heroes” monumental ensemble in Târgu Jiu and Constantin Brâncuși, as well as George Enescu in France.
In May, the Jazzappella vocal ensemble represented Romania at the International Jazz Festival in Tashkent. Romanian representatives also took part in the International Opera and Ballet Festival “Toshkent Bahori” and the International Festival “Atlas Bayrami” in Margilan.
The ambassador described the filming in Uzbekistan of the ninth season of the Romanian television show “Asia Express — Silk Road” as another notable cultural event. Episodes filmed in Uzbekistan were broadcast in Romania in September 2026, introducing viewers to the country’s cities, cultural heritage and hospitality.
Cultural exchange also took place in the opposite direction. In April, the “Uzbekistan Miniature: Tradition and Modernism” exhibition was held in the Romanian city of Constanta, while in September the Uzbek vocal and dance ensemble “Bukharcha” presented national dances in Bucharest.
Concluding his message, Ciobanu expressed optimism about the further development of bilateral relations. He also noted that he had been presented with the commemorative badge “35th Anniversary of the Independence of the Republic of Uzbekistan,” established by a decree of the Uzbek president.
The ambassador described the award as a sign of high trust and an incentive to continue cooperation, and expressed his gratitude to the Uzbek side for its partnership.
