Acting Foreign Minister Oana Toiu and Pamela Ratiu, executive director of the Ratiu Democracy Foundation, signed a cooperation protocol between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE) and the Ratiu Foundation in Turda on Tuesday, the MAE said.

The protocol aims to strengthen cooperation in areas including the promotion of democratic values, education, public dialogue, independent journalism, international relations and preserving historical memory.

The Ratiu Democracy Foundation has also been included in the MAE Advisory Council, a permanent mechanism for dialogue and consultation with civil society launched in August 2025.

'We came to the home of a free man to further build on his legacy of courage and perseverance, at a time when democracy and European values are under pressure. Ion Ratiu had the courage to want a Western future for his country, and today we have that future, but it needs to be protected, and this requires forward-looking strategic thinking and the exchange of analysis, as well as cooperation with civil society. As of today, the Foundation is part of the MAE Advisory Council, and this year we will launch a mentoring programme for young diplomats, as well as dialogues between experts, including as part of our cooperation with the London School of Economics (LSE) and Georgetown. We have agreed to jointly organise, next spring, the Romanian stage of the seminar on democratic resilience for journalists and communicators from the countries in the region, under Romania's Presidency of the Central European Initiative. Ion Ratiu's dream of an open society built on freedom brings us together,' Oana Toiu said.

At the signing ceremony, Nicolae Ratiu, chairman of the Ratiu Family Charitable Foundation, spoke about his father's moral legacy and said that he had wanted the Turda site to be dedicated to those who come together in 'the spirit of democracy, open dialogue and a common purpose, keeping alive the idea of a free and better Romania.'

'This agreement represents a wonderful continuation of that dream and of the values in which he believed so deeply. He would have very much wanted to serve Romania as foreign minister, prime minister or even president. Unfortunately for Romania, however, his independent style and his message were considered too threatening by those who held the levers of power at the time,' he said.

Pamela Ratiu, executive director of the Ratiu Foundation, stressed that 'uniting our efforts in the service of democracy makes us stronger.'

'At a time when democratic values are facing ever greater challenges, dialogue, cooperation and a shared commitment to these principles are more important than ever. This agreement reflects the value of cooperation between institutions and civil society in strengthening democratic dialogue and building a more resilient future,' she said.

The Ratiu Democracy Centre, based in Turda, is dedicated to strengthening democracy through dialogue, education and civic engagement. Drawing on the Ratiu family's democratic legacy and values, the Centre brings together decision-makers, academics, journalists, civil society representatives and young people to encourage debate and the exchange of ideas on the challenges facing democratic societies. The Centre works with LSE IDEAS, the foreign policy research and analysis institute of the London School of Economics and Political Science, through the Ratiu Forum.

According to the MAE, this cooperation is carried out through three main programmes: Ratiu Dialogues on Democracy, the Journalism Programme and the History Programme, each addressing a different dimension of democratic life through dialogue, independent journalism and an understanding of history. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Oana Ghita; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)