Today, 3 March 2024, Poland and Romania celebrate Poland-Romania Solidarity Day, an initiative which reflects the partnership between the two nations founded on a shared historical experience and the willingness to further strengthen bilateral relations.

The first celebration of Poland-Romania Solidarity Day in 2024 is part of a series of events commemorating pivotal moments in the two countries’ histories and bilateral relations: 105 years of diplomatic relations; 85 years of asylum granted by Romania to the Polish government, which fought on against the Nazi German invader outside the country; 35 years of the fall of communism and democratic transition in Central and Eastern Europe, and the 15th anniversary of the Strategic Partnership. The trustful and vigorous partnership between Warsaw and Bucharest is founded on the events we recall today.

A milestone in relations between the two countries was the Convention of Defensive Alliance between the Republic of Poland and the Kingdom of Romania, signed on 3 March 1921 by Eustachy Sapieha and Take Ionescu, their foreign ministers at the time. The Convention laid the groundwork for developing bilateral cooperation between the Republic of Poland and Romania.

Under the pact, its parties agreed on the mutual obligation to defend each other in the face of the threat posed by Soviet Russia. As history has shown, this defensive alliance between Warsaw and Bucharest has proven its credibility, both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Today, as EU members and NATO allies, Poland and Romania remain strongly committed to supporting Ukraine in countering Russia’s armed aggression as well as to restoring an international law-based order.

Polish-Romanian solidarity is reflected not only in an intensive political and diplomatic dialogue at many levels but also in the military, economic, investment, educational, cultural and human dimensions. The close, lasting cooperation between the national authorities is accompanied by robust links at local and regional levels. The Polish-Romanian cultural season 2024-2025 will further cement the ties of friendship between the two nations.

Celebrating Poland-Romania Solidarity Day for the first time, we reiterate our commitment to continue working together to strengthen bilateral relations, which will translate into tangible benefits for the citizens of both countries.