(MENAFN- Gulf Times) A good number of people, including Qatari dignitaries, ambassadors and diplomats from various countries, and expatriates from Romania attended the national day reception held at Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel on Wednesday night.
Romanian ambassador Dr Cristian Tudor and other staff members from the embassy received the guests at the gate of Al Dafna Ballroom, where colourful and artistically beautiful arrangements were made to have the 99th celebration of the Great Union.
The guests of honour on the occasion included HE Mohamed bin Abdullah al-Rumaihi, Minister of Municipality and Environment; Mohamed al-Othman, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Administrative Development, Labour and Social Affairs; Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhro, Director of Protocol; and Ali Ibrahim Ahmed, Dean of the Diplomatic Corps, from Qatar. There were also a good number of Qatari business persons present at the event.
The celebrations started with the national anthems of Qatar, Romania and the European Union. After his welcome speech, the Romanian ambassador and other guests cut a cake to mark the occasion.
The festive mood was an ideal gateway to a social gathering, where ambassadors and diplomats from different countries sat and discussed various issues. Dinner served at the venue included Arabian and Romanian dishes. The guests were seen enjoying the food and the atmosphere, staying as late as 10pm.
The guests were serenaded by Romanian singers, performing melodious and traditional music on the stage that was set in the middle of the ballroom.
Earlier, in his welcome speech, Ambassador Dr Tudor said, 'Ninety-nine years ago, the people of Romania accomplished the Great Union, which represents the creation of the Romanian modern state. From that day on, we continue to celebrate the union as a symbol of the will of the Romanian people.
'National unity, solidarity and all the principles that were at the foundation of the Romanian modern state in 1918 continue to be valid today and to guide us in the achievement of our national objectives.
The ambassador noted, 'In 2017 we celebrate the National Day in the year preceding the Centenary of the Great Union, one of the most important historical moments that underline Romania's openness and attachment to the principles of tolerance, mutual respect, good co-existence and respect for one another.
'Romania is today a strong member of the international community, member of Nato and the EU and a sound investment destination. Economic growth in Romania is among the highest in the EU. Romania remains strongly committed to the European project and we are looking forward to holding the rotating presidency of the EU in first semester of 2019, the ambassador said.
Speaking on the ongoing Gulf crisis, he said, 'We believe that dialogue should prevail, especially between brothers and we reaffirm our support for the Kuwaiti mediation.
He added, 'I would also like to express my government's appreciation for how Qatar has been handling the ongoing crisis, under the wise guidance of His Highness the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
About bilateral ties, he noted, 'There is strong political will on both sides to enhance sectoral co-operation in other fields of mutual interest, such as agriculture, tourism, energy, culture, and transport.
'Together, we have taken our relationship to a higher level. I am proud to testify that both the political contacts and the sectoral co-operation have never been so intense and so complex since the establishment of bilateral relations.
Speaking about the recently concluded 'The Romanian Cultural Days in Qatar, the ambassador said, 'Next year, on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of the Great Union, we will organise more cultural events. I would like to seize this opportunity to express my gratitude to Katara for all their support.
He added, 'I am most grateful also to the 3,000 Romanians working in Qatar who are contributing to the implementation of the Qatar Vision 2030. I would like to express my appreciation to all the Qatari friends for their warm hospitality and support in fulfilling my mission. I will remain fully committed to continuing my work in the service of our bilateral relations.
The ambassador also thanked and appreciated the Romanian artistes both from Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and from Sibiu and Maramures, Romania for entertaining the guests.
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