By H.E. Mr. Nicolae Comanescu, Ambassador of Romania to the Kingdom of the Netherlands
In recent years, the diplomatic, economic, and security relationships between Romania and the Kingdom of the Netherlands have witnessed significant growth and development. Rooted in shared values and interests, the bilateral cooperation continues to evolve, reflecting both countries’ commitment to enhancing their partnership in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.
Diplomatic Engagements and NATO Cooperation
Building on this strong foundation, this year marks 145 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and the Netherlands, highlighting the enduring partnership between the two countries. Recent high-profile diplomatic engagements, including meetings between the Romanian and Dutch foreign ministers, have reaffirmed their shared commitment to deepening cooperation across political, security, economic, technological, and cultural domains. This interaction was further illustrated by Romania’s active involvement in the NATO Summit held in The Hague in June 2025, where discussions focused on bolstering defense capacities amid the ongoing geopolitical challenges in Eastern Europe. The ongoing war of aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine has galvanized both nations to reinforce their commitment to NATO and European security.
Both countries are united in supporting Ukraine against this aggression, firmly believing in the importance of European solidarity and the defense of common values. The NATO Summit in The Hague in June 2025 marked a critical point in enhancing strategic military cooperation, with Romania benefiting from the stationing of NATO battle groups on its territory, further integrating into the collective defense framework.
The bilateral military cooperation has been strengthened through visits and meetings attended by Dutch military officials and their Romanian counterparts. A pivotal agreement emerged during the NATO Summit, with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the expansion of the F-16 Training Center in Romania – highlighting the countries’ joint commitment to improving their defense capabilities.
Economic Collaboration
Beyond security, the economic relationship between Romania and the Netherlands has been flourishing. The Netherlands is one of the largest foreign investors in Romania, accounting for approximately 20% of total foreign direct investments, with a social subscribed and paid-in registered capital of €9.9 billion and more than 25 billion euro total invested capital across various sectors. Over 6,200 Romanian-Dutch joint ventures and a bilateral trade turnover in goods amounted to 9 billion euro in 2024 and around to 10 billion euro expected in 2025, signify the robust economic ties between the two nations. Based on this, Netherlands occupies the 7th place in the ranking of the trade partners of Romania, both on export and import.
In the ever-evolving European landscape, the two countries are currently identifying cooperative projects between their defense industries, leveraging new frameworks supported by the European Commission, such as the Readiness 2030 Plan (ReArm Europe) and the Security Action for Europe (SAFE) Regulation. There is unexploited potential for collaboration within these sectors, and both nations are poised to maximize resources to achieve NATO’s capability targets.
A significant upcoming event, the NATO-Industry Forum set to be held in Bucharest in November 2025, serves to further enhance economic cooperation in the defense sector. This forum will create opportunities for increased engagement between transatlantic defense industries, allowing for extensive bilateral contacts.
Near-Shoring Initiatives
Further cooperation has erupted in the production industry, with Romanian and Dutch companies exploring joint ventures aimed at attracting new orders and relocating manufacturing from Asia. This “near-shoring” policy is particularly relevant in the current global and regional geopolitical and economic climate, and it promises to stimulate local economies while enhancing resilience in supply chains.
Supported by one of the largest pools of IT specialists in Central and Eastern Europe, Romania is emerging as a regional high-tech hub, with recent significant investments from the Netherlands in microchip and R&D projects underscoring the maturity of its tech ecosystem and the growing confidence of international investors.
The agri-food sector attracts strong interest from both sides, as numerous Dutch investors are already active in our country and Romania aiming to enhance the value of its high agricultural potential.
Cultural Ties as a Foundation for Cooperation
Cultural initiatives significantly complement the economic and security cooperation between Romania and the Netherlands. In September 2025, a major exhibition was inaugurated and open to the public at the H-Art Museum in Amsterdam. This exhibition features over 30 sculptures by the renowned Romanian artist Constantin Brâncuși, alongside photographs, drawings, and archival materials, all inspired by Brâncuși’s studio, a space he deemed sacred. The exhibition will remain open to the public until January 20, 2026.
The last retrospective of Brâncuși’s work in the Netherlands was held 50 years ago, and the exhibition is expected to attract over 100,000 visitors, marking a significant cultural milestone. Such cultural exchanges serve to reinforce the deep-rooted ties between the nations, showcasing shared heritage and enhancing mutual understanding.
Summarizing, the relationship between Romania and the Kingdom of the Netherlands is characterized by dynamic cooperation across economic, security, and cultural dimensions. Marking 145 years of diplomatic relations, both nations are committed to strengthening their partnership in addressing current challenges, promoting shared values, and exploring new avenues of growth. As they continue to navigate the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape, the future looks promising for the further deepening of their long-standing and flourishing ties.allenges, promoting shared values, and exploring new avenues of growth. As they continue to navigate the complexities of the current geopolitical landscape, the future looks promising for the flourishing ties between Romania and the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
