The traditional reception hosted by the Bulgarian Embassy in Romania to mark the National Day, on March 3, opened with the national anthems of the two countries, performed by soprano Ana-Maria Spataris and tenor Emilian Ioan Nedelcea, followed by the Anthem of Europe, 'Ode to Joy', Bulgarian news agency BTA reports.

The event took place in the world's second-largest administrative building, the Romanian Parliament, and brought together hundreds of guests, including the new U.S. Ambassador in Bucharest Darryl Nirenberg, Israeli Ambassador Lyon Ben Dor, and ambassadors of several Arab countries.

As speeches were being delivered, the Unirii Hall and the building's central façade were illuminated in white, green and red - the colors of the Bulgarian flag.

Bulgaria's Ambassador to Romania, Radko Vlaykov, addressed the audience: 'Bulgaria's National Day is an occasion to remember that the ties between Bulgarians and Romanians are centuries-old. We will always remember the heroism and sacrifice of Romanian soldiers in 1877 - 1878 at Pleven, Grivitsa, Oryahovo and elsewhere. We will always remember the selfless protection provided by the Romanian people in the second half of the 19th century for the brightest figures in our history. The Bulgarian people will always be deeply grateful to the Romanian people for their contribution to Bulgaria's liberation and the restoration of Bulgarian statehood, whose 148th anniversary we celebrate today.'

The diplomat emphasized that today both countries are once again where history has always placed them - at the heart of a democratic and civilized Europe.

'The EU and NATO increasingly bring us closer together. Both countries are fully aware that we share responsibility for the security of NATO's eastern flank. Together, we initiated - and on May 31, 2025 the EU adopted - the Black Sea Strategy. Alongside Turkiye, we are expanding the scope of our cooperation in the interest of security in the Black Sea. It is precisely cooperation in security and defence that represents the most active area in bilateral relations between Bulgaria and Romania,' he said.

Vlaykov recalled that the world recently marked the beginning of the fifth year of the aggressive war that the Russian Federation is waging against Ukraine.

The ambassador said that the past year has seen negotiations mediated by the U.S. administration and an increase in Russian attacks on Ukraine, with civilians, including children, continuing to suffer amid harsh winter conditions, while Russia's demands violate international law and Ukraine's territorial integrity.

He added that Bulgaria will continue, in the most determined way, to be part of the EU's efforts regarding Ukraine and of the sanctions and other instruments that the EU applies to the Russian Federation.

He recalled the words of the Romanian historian, Prof. Ioan Bogdan (1864 - 1919) from 1895, that it is in the interest of both peoples to get to know each other as well as possible.

'Over the past 35 years, the mentality of Bulgarians and Romanians has changed. We have returned to the European values we upheld before communism. We have rediscovered ourselves as peoples on the same European level. And we increasingly realize how close we are and how much stronger we are when we stand together,' Vlaykov emphasized.

He cited statistics, noting that Romania remains Bulgaria's second-largest trading partner and that Romanian tourists consistently rank first among foreign visitors to Bulgaria.

Ambassador Vlaykov pointed out that the introduction of the euro in Bulgaria from January 1, 2026, together with joint membership of the Schengen border-free area, will boost business and tourism. He highlighted key infrastructure projects, including the Vertical Gas Corridor and the multimodal corridor linking Greece, Bulgaria and Romania and extending to Moldova and Ukraine, and said Bulgaria's political elite remain committed to advancing strategic relations with Romania and ensuring uninterrupted progress on these projects.

Concluding his speech, the diplomat addressed Bulgarians in Romania, praising them for representing the nation's best qualities: hard work, integrity, warmth, loyalty and neighbourly support.

Romanian Senate Vice President Mihai Cotet praised Bulgaria's contribution to regional stability and its ability to overcome political challenges, noting that bilateral relations are strong and reinforced by the 2023 Strategic Partnership Declaration, with cooperation in the Black Sea region enhancing both countries' strength.

Romanian Deputy Prime Minister and National Defense Minister Radu Miruta affirmed the strength and growing reliability of bilateral relations with Bulgaria, announcing an upcoming defense agreement. He emphasized the shared priority of Black Sea security.

The celebrations continued with performances by the Destiny Quartet, featuring modern arrangements of classical works, film scores and folk motifs. AGERPRES (RO - editing by: Mariana Ionescu; EN - editing by: Simona Klodnischi)