Türkiye-Romania relations are strengthening, with cooperation that is both transactional and strategic, helping both nations navigate global energy volatilities while fostering sustainable economic growth, said Romania's ambassador to Ankara.
Speaking to Anadolu, Stefan Alexandru Tinca noted that bilateral relations have been strengthened over time by factors such as geographical proximity, shared history, and cultural similarities.
"This cooperation is not just transactional, but also strategic, helping both nations to navigate through global energy volatilities, while fostering sustainable economic growth," he noted.
Türkiye is a key economic partner for Romania as the main trade partner outside the European Union (EU) and the first destination for Romanian exports outside the EU, Tinca said.
He stated that last year's establishment of the Romania-Türkiye High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council (HLSCC) and this year's signing of the energy memorandum have further strengthened the bilateral dialogue.
"Thus, Türkiye is not just a supplier; it is a strategic diversifier and a bridge to alternative energy routes," he said.
"In an era where traditional pipelines face heightened risks, Türkiye's LNG terminals, storage facilities, and growing renewable base provide Romania with flexible, market-responsive options that enhance our energy stability," he added.
- Energy partnership strengthens bilateral ties
Tinca emphasized that the partnership between Türkiye and Romania is even more important in the current turbulent geopolitical environment.
He said that Turkish investment encourages renewable energy and infrastructure projects that will modernize Romania's networks while creating jobs and building expertise.
"Through this partnership, Türkiye opens lucrative export markets in Europe via Romania's interconnected networks, amplifying the value of its own energy policy," he added.
"Ultimately, we build together a buffer against global volatility, ensuring that energy remains affordable and accessible for industries and citizens alike," the ambassador added.
- Joint ventures and renewables offer growth potential
Discussing Romania's goals to increase its installed renewable energy capacity, he said that Türkiye-Romania joint ventures could leverage Romania's coastal potential and Türkiye's production capacity in offshore wind and solar energy.
He also stated that Romania has untapped potential in electricity trading through smart grids and hydrogen pilot projects.
"There is strong potential for co-investment and technology exchange in renewables. Therefore, I encourage the private sector from both countries to partner up for joint projects, knowledge sharing, and investments in renewable infrastructure," Tinca added.
"All these opportunities not only promise economic multipliers, but also set a solid ground for an amplified synergy that could place our two countries as leaders in regional decarbonization, turning energy challenges into collaborative triumphs," he stated.
- Energy cooperation secures Black Sea stability
The energy cooperation between both countries is "the backbone of stability and resilience in the Black Sea," Tinca said, adding that this partnership enhances maritime security through shared infrastructure, joint demining, and corridor protections, which reduce risks to vital trade and connectivity routes.
"Without this energy pillar, regional stability would falter. With it, we can build a prosperous, secure future for all littoral states," he explained.
Emphasizing that Türkiye and Romania share mutual interests in developing the Black Sea's offshore energy resources, he said: "This brings up further cooperation opportunities as the two countries could coordinate exploration and development efforts in the Black Sea, sharing expertise and possibly collaborating on the development of infrastructure to bring these reserves to market."
By Basak Erkalan
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
