A friend in need

Ambassador Branzaru graduated from the faculty of Energetics of Bucharest Polytechnic Institute, mastering in Electro- Energetics. Subsequent to his scientific work, he entered diplomatic service in 1976 and served as Third and Second Secretary at the Romanian Embassy in Paris, France. He went on to be a distinguished career diplomat and from March 5, 2007 Ambassador Branzaru has been appointed Charge d’Affaires en pied – Head of Mission of Romania in Ethiopia and Permanent Representative to the A.U.
In many respects, the Republic of Romania is a rather unique European country. Often described as a. Latin island in a Slavic ocean, it is with Italy, France, Spain and Portugal a member of the Council of Latin Nations.
Dacia. as it used to be called in ancient times, was the most Romanized of the many provinces of the Roman Empire. Present Romanian language and culture derives from heavily Latin Proto-Romanian and closely resembles Italian in intonation and vocabulary.
Romania is a nation that emerged from repressive, ultra Marxist rule in 1989 at roughly about the same time Ethiopia did later in 1991. The nation has been on a transformative path ever since and has managed to establish a multi-party democracy, a booming economy rescued from central planning and fittingly, was accepted as a full member of NATO and the E.U in 2004 and 2007 respectively.
Ostracized by a foreign ideology from its natural roots in western tradition, Romania’s accession to the E.U. is a historic return home for one of Europe’s oldest cultures.
Romania and Ethiopia have just marked 50 years of diplomatic relations. The ties of friendship between the two nations however, precedes even formal links.
“I, Haile Selasie I, Emporer of Ethiopia, am here today to claim that justice is due to our people. Apart from the Kingdom of God, no nation on this earth is higher than any other. If a strong government can destroy a weak people, then the hour has struck for all weak peoples. I appeal to the League of Nations to give its judgment in all freedom. God and history will remember your judgment …”
Haile Sellasie I
League of Nations
June 30, 1936

His Majesty’s address 71 years ago remains one of the greatest speeches of all time. Although the monarch (and Ethiopia) were virtually ignored by all and derided by many, the League’s president sided with Ethiopia and struggled to convince the League of Nations to condemn the Fascist Italian invasion of Ethiopia. This man was Nicolae Titulescu, Romania’s veteran diplomat and proud defender of the sovereignty of nations.
He will be forever praised by Ethiopians as a friend who did not abandon Ethiopia in its hour of greatest need and also as the cornerstone of Ethio-Romanian relations. Capital’s Tesfu Telahoun, in connection with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, sought an audience with the newly appointed emissary of Romania to Ethiopia, the A.U. and also for Djibouti and Somalia, H.E. Ambassador Gabriel-Irinel Branzaru Excerpts of the broad ranging interview follow:

Capital:- Ambassador, if you would begin by recounting the major events and developments in your country since 1989?
Ambassador Branzaru:- That’s an interesting question as what occured in Romania since 1989 Revolution is important in analogy for Ethiopia also. Both nations toppled Communism at virtually the same time. I would like to dip into history for a moment to give a general background of something that still rancors Romanians. The victorious Western Allied Powers abandoned Romania to Soviet influence and domination by communism, an alien ideology to our history and Latin culture. It was the expectation of the Romanian people that they would be liberated by the Americans instead of by the Russians.
Communism had always been imposed on us by a certain brutal dictatorship for 29 years before a spontaneous popular revolution discarded it. As such, it was clear that the newfound sense of national freedom demanded fundamental changes that would require some difficult and painful decisions. By the way, I was in Bucharest on the historic day when the end of the last bastion of Marxism in Eastern Europe was being watched live by the whole world. Romanians of all walks of life knew from that day on that their destiny has changed for the better.
After 1990, although the people readily embraced the changes, the transition to a free - market economy was a great national challenge. One example of the enthusiasm of Romanians for Europe is that they registered the highest ‘yes’ votes for Nato accession. The popularity of democracy is stronger in Romania than in all of Eastern Europe.
Romania is the largest and most populous East European country after Poland. My country used to be important economically prior to WWII. Between the world wars, Romania’s agriculture and petroleum was in high demand throughout Europe.
The communist regime utilized this economic strength but built inefficient heavy industry. These huge combines were involved in chemicals, metallurgy and other fields. The plants were difficult to maintain and were uncompetitive with western industries so that Romania had to close most of these unprofitable and obsolete factories. This caused severe problems.
Although the decade following the 1989 Revolution was difficult, it was not all bad news. Very soon the economy began to improve, attracting foreign investment. This turnaround can be exemplified by the success of Romania’s automotive industry. Dacia has had since 1965, a production license agreement with France’s Renault to produce certain models. This experience was refreshed when Renault invested heavily, acquired Dacia and up to date has sold over 1.5 million Logans. I am pleased to see this internationally acclaimed vehicle on Addis streets. Today, Romania produces not only world class cars but also trucks, industrial machinery and other products as it develops into a modern 21stcentury economy.
The strength of Romania’s tradition in engineering is the high quality vocational school system. This has given Romania a good reputation for training not only at specialist level but more importantly, at mid-management and technician levels. I believe that Ethiopia needs more and improved mid- level professionals. This aspect is one in which our two countries can share experiences.

Capital:- Did Romania have an outflow of skilled human resource – in effect a brain drain?
Ambassador Branzaru :- Most definitely. As the sacrifices on the transition to a free market economy began to bite, Romanians, armed with the freedom to travel anywhere – remember; under Ceucescu, ordinary citizens were forbidden free rein – emigrated in droves. They soon found employment throughout Europe as qualified engineers, mechanics, construction and health workers. Their remittances home were quite important for Romania at the time.
What has happened in recent years is interesting. Romania’s rapid pace of economic development has created a labor shortage. This in turn has persuaded many Romanians to return to their country and invest in land or industry.
I believe that diaspora people – for example the Ethiopians around the world – will naturally return to their roots once their country becomes attractive to them. This is being seen in many other nations, including Ethiopia.

Capital :- At what stage of development are Ethio-Romanian relations currently?
Ambassador Branzaru :- The bilateral relations between Ethiopia and my country are long lasting and strong mainly because the two nations share significant similarities. 2007 marks fifty years of friendship. History remembers Romania’s Foreign Minister, Nicolae Titolescu, who was president of the League of Nations in the thirties, staunchily defending Ethiopia’s case, arguing that the aggressor, Italy, should be sanctioned and not the victim, Ethiopia.
This historic fact helped to seal the ties that bind our two countries. Romanians feel honored to have supported Ethiopia during those difficult times.
Ethiopia and Romania have over two millennia of fighting off aggressors and have never been colonized. Both nations also preserve their ancient traditions and culture through even the most adverse situations. I greatly appreciate Ethiopia’s rich cultural heritage; your alphabet, numerals and the unique calendar of which you are about to celebrate a new millennium, are a few of the many great achievements of Ethiopia.
An important factor of affinity between our countries is that they are largely Orthodox Christian and the two churches have a long history of co-operation. Incidentally , His Holiness Abune Paulos of the E.O.C, was in Romania in the first week of August to pay his respects upon the passing away of the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church.
A characteristic of Ethiopia that I admire greatly is the fact that though traditions are kept intact, Ethiopian culture is open to other cultures. This is in my view, a very important national trait.
Romania has always been open to Africa and Africans and this tradition guides our relationship with the continent. Ethiopia being an important country in Africa and especially in its region, Romania attaches great significance to strong bilateral ties.
The accession of Romania to the E.U. contributed to the current peace and stability in the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Romania’s involvement in the maintenance of security through its participation in the global war on terror has linked it with Ethiopia. At present, both countries are not only stable but more importantly, are providers of peace in their regions. In this regard, I must mention that Romanian officers serve in UNMEE (UN mission to Eritrea and Ethiopia)
Thousands of Africans, including hundreds of Ethiopians have been educated in Romanian universities. To give you an example, among the ambassadors accredited to Ethiopia, three of my colleagues from African nations were educated in Romania. Our country has sent teachers throughout Africa including Ethiopia, on short and long term missions. By the way, the strong education link Romania maintains with Africa has its roots in Romania’s contribution to the continental liberation struggle which was in the form of knowledge transfer.
As our countries are largely Orthodox Christian, Romania and Ethiopia have co-operated in the field of theology. Archbishop Gerima of the EOC studied theology for 10 years and received a doctorate of philosophy from a renowned Romanian College.
Romania was, remains and will endure as a good friend of Ethiopia. However, during the nineties it focused mainly in its own internal challenges dividing the transition period.
Consequently, bilateral relations did suffer. For instance, not a single high level government official has visited our country nor have any Romanian delegations arrived to Ethiopia for the last 19 years. Trade between the two countries has decreased by 50% since 2000. These things show you that much work needs to be done to re-invigorate bilateral ties.
The most urgent task is to re-establish communication and in this regard, my mission here approaches the matter on two tracks – at governmental level and at the level of Chambers of Commerce.
In this regard, I am pleased to report that progress is being achieved.
At government level the first task is to try updating our legal framework of relations which were formulated 40 years ago.
I have held various discussions last week with Minister of Finance and Economic Development Sofian Ahmed and also with the Director General in the Ethiopian Foreign Minister for International Law and Consular Affairs in order to finalize the procedures for two very important agreements. The first is an agreement on the promotion and reciprocal protection of investments. The Romanian side has finalized this agreement and we are awaiting for our Ethiopian counterparts to sign soon.
I also think that conditions are very promising for our Foreign Minister to pay an official visit to Ethiopia in the near future. He will be arriving to sign the agreement which by the way has nullified three previous and now outdated agreements.
Concerning the consular issue, I have discussed with the Foreign Ministry of Ethiopia for Romania to be put on the list of countries whose nationals can obtain visas at the airport. This will facilitate business travel between our two countries. Ethiopia does not have an embassy in Bucharest so this would be a great boost to improve relations.
The second component is the links at Chamber of Commerce level. A 1995 agreement did exist but it was never made practical.
I have held has discussions with the president of the A.A Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations, Eyesuwork Zafu and the newly appointed Secretary General, Teshome Beyene Getachew Ayenew and we established with him to visit Romania in October at the head of a delegation of Ethiopian business persons. Accordingly, the president of the Romanian Chamber of Commerce and Sectoral Associations has issued Mr. Teshome a formal invitation.
I believe such developments will open a new era in Ethio- Romanian bilateral relations.