05/07/2010 - The Ambassador of Romania to the UK’s official visit to Scotland

Thu, 9th September, 2010
Embassy of Romania-London/ The Ambassador of Romania, Dr Ion Jinga, paid an official visit to Scotland, between 22nd - 26th of June 2010. This is the Ambassador’s third visit to Scotland since he was appointed in March 2008, the previous two being dedicated to the opening of the Honorary Consulate of Romania in Aberdeen and to a better understanding of the needs of the Romanians living in the region.[[STOP]]

The delegation led by the Ambassador of Romania included: Oana Gheorghiu Head of the Consular Department of the Embassy, Chief Commissar Ioan Dascălu Internal affairs attaché, Bogdan Cârpă-veche Labour and social affairs attaché, Cristina-Narcisa Niţă Press attaché, Robert Eros Economic counsellor, Dorian Branea Director of the Romanian Cultural Institute (RCI) in London and Liliana Hiris Honorary Consul of Romania in Scotland.

The objectives were: presenting new opportunities for investments in Romania; promoting the economical exchanges between Romania and Scotland; raising the awareness of the Scottish authorities and business community for the elimination of restrictions still applied to Romanian citizens on the UK labour market; a better understanding of the Romanian community integration in Scotland; intensifying the Embassy’s cultural and social dialogue with the Scottish authorities.

The Agenda of the visit included meetings with high Scottish officials from Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Glasgow.

In Edinburgh discussions were held with: the First Minister of Scotland Rt Hon Alex Salmond, the Minister for Culture and External Affairs Ms Fiona Hyslop, the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament Rt Hon Alex Fergusson, the Lord Lieutenant and the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh Rt Hon George Grubb, Chief Constable of Lothian & Borders Police David Strang, the Head of the Fresh Talent Initiative Mr Ian Kernohan, Head of the Race, Religion and Refugee Integration Branch Ms Rachel Johnson, the Director for Business Development and Enterprise of the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce Mr Alasdair Kerr.

In Aberdeen, the Ambassador of Romania met with: the Lord Provost of the City of Aberdeen Rt Hon Peter James Stephen, Chief Constable Colin McKerracher and Assistant Chief Constable Derek Penman, of the Grampian Police, and with the International Business Director of the Aberdeen and Grampian Chamber of Commerce, Jon Woodwards, and with the members of the board.


In Glasgow, the visit continued with the Ambassador meeting: the Lord Provost of the City of Glasgow Rt Hon Bob Winter, Deputy Chief Constable of the Glasgow Police Force Neil Richardson, and the Commercial Director of Glasgow House of Commerce Richard Muir. In Aberdeen and Glasgow, the Ambassador met with the local Romanian communities, the two events being organized with the support of the Romanian Scottish Society - ScotRo.

The Ambassador attended, in Edinburgh, a reception and a dinner offered by John Scott Vice-president of the Scottish Romanian Universities Exchange (SRUE), a society under the patronage of the Ambassador of Romania which aims to promote student exchanges between Romanian and Scottish universities.

Alongside the Ambassador’s of Romania visit in Scotland, the Romanian Cultural Institute in London supported the showcasing at Edinburgh International Film Festival (16-27 June 2010) of two Romanian award-winning movies: Police, Adjective (directed by Corneliu Porumboiu) and If I want to whistle, I whistle (directed by Florin Serban), and organized at The New Club, one of most prestigious clubs of the Scottish capital, a photography exhibition entitled Romania-the shapes of light.




Cristina-Narcisa Nita

Press Attaché

Embassy of Romania in the UK

Arundel House

4 Palace Green

London W8 4QD

Tel.: 0044 20 7937 9669

Fax: 0044 20 7937 8069

Mobile: 0044 75 00 55 88 44

www.london.mae.ro