Prominent journalist Luca Niculescu, Romania’s Ambassador to France since December 2015, has been closely involved with French culture for many years. Born in Romania in 1971, he earned a master’s degree in European Journalism from the University Centre for Journalism Studies in Strasbourg, France. He has worked as a journalist for Radio France Internationale since 1992 and was named editor-in-chief at Radio France Internationale Romania in 2000. He has also been a correspondent for France Info, France Inter, France Culture, TV 5 and Liberation newspaper, and has been a moderator for private broadcasters Digi 24 and the Money Channel as well as public broadcaster TVR. He discusses long-standing connections and new partnerships between Romania and France.
European Times: Can you describe current relations between France and Romania?
Luca Niculescu: Romania and France have formed a strong strategic partnership, particularly in the priority areas of bilateral political dialogue, economic relations, cultural and scientific exchanges, and cooperation within the EU. The two countries have many cultural and linguistic connections, and Romania has long been known as one of Europe’s most Francophone countries. French is the second foreign language (after English) that young Romanians study in school. In the political sphere, the two countries share a common vision and are working together in many European and international initiatives. Economically, Romania has attracted significant investment from France. The best-known example remains Dacia-Renault, but the list also includes the presence of French retail chains Carrefour, Auchan and Cora in Romania and the cooperation between Airbus Industrie and its factories in Ghimbav. Romania and France also collaborate extensively in scientific research and cultural projects, and there are around 250 active Romanian-French projects at the local level in Romania today.
European Times: What are the priorities of your mandate as Ambassador to France?
Luca Niculescu: I intend to contribute to strengthening the Romanian-French political dialogue and to deepening the two countries’ bilateral involvement in the EU. The visit of Romanian Prime Minister Dacian Ciolos to Paris in January this year was an important step in enhancing this bilateral relationship and establishing new areas of cooperation in the future. French President François Hollande plans to visit Romania this year.
On the investment front, I would like to see more French SMEs present in Romania and to encourage more Romanian companies to do business in France. Another goal is to develop bilateral projects which could be supported by EU funds. The events surrounding the Centenary of Modern Romania celebration in 2018 will be an excellent opportunity to present Romania to France.
European Times: Why should French and EU investors choose Romania?
Luca Niculescu: As the second-largest market in Central Europe, Romania is already a preferred market for French investors. Romania has strong macroeconomic fundamentals and the Romanian economy grew by 3.7% in 2015, driven mainly by private consumption and increased returns on investment. Romania’s GDP totalled around €159 billion last year.
Romania benefits from an excellent geographic position at the crossroads of major trade routes between Western Europe and Asia and between southern and northern Europe. It also benefits from an important inland waterway and maritime facilities. Romania has a strong professional workforce with highly qualified specialists in technology, computer science and engineering, and Romanian tourism also has a huge potential. Furthermore, Romanian legislation is extremely attractive to foreign investors since it offers open and non-discriminatory market access. Last but not least, Romania enjoys significant natural resources and vast and fertile agricultural land. The Romanian government is committed to capitalising on these advantages through supporting private entrepreneurs, both local and foreign.
European Times: What do French people think of Romania?
Luca Niculescu: Many French people are aware that cultural icons like Constantin Brancusi, Emil Cioran, Ionesco and Tristan Tzara were Romanian, and contemporary Romanian artist Mircea Cantor is well known in France as well. The Romanian filmmakers Cristian Mungiu and Corneliu Porumboiu, among others, are also highly appreciated by French critics and viewers. Enhancing cultural ties between the two countries is a key objective of the events we are planning for the Centenary of Modern Romania in 2018. We aim to present to the French and the rest of the world the real, modern Romania, free of stereotypes.
European Times: What is your personal message about the partnership between Romania and France?
Luca Niculescu: My message is one of confidence in the potential of Romanian-French relations. In a Europe currently facing unprecedented challenges, Romania wants to play — along with France — a constructive role geared towards deepening and strengthening the European project.
