During the first official visit to Poland by the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan – held at the invitation of the President of the Republic of Poland, Karol Nawrocki – a meeting took place with the participation of Polish and Romanian entrepreneurs.
The reception marking Polish–Romanian Solidarity Day was held on 5 March at the Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek. It was organised by the Polish–Romanian Bilateral Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, as the guest of honour. The event brought together over 100 invited guests, including primarily representatives of the Chamber’s member companies, as well as business leaders from both Poland and Romania. Also in attendance were representatives of the Romanian Embassy in Poland – among them the Romanian Ambassador to Poland, Cosmin Onisii – alongside representatives of the Chamber’s partner organisations.
The choice of venue was far from incidental. As emphasised by Dr Robert Andrzejczyk, Director of the Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek, Józef Piłsudski was one of the most eminent political, social and independence leaders, whose influence extended well beyond Poland’s borders and helped shape Central and Eastern Europe. In his political thinking, Romania occupied a special place as one of Poland’s key allies during the interwar period. In his address, the Director recalled the Marshal’s words, spoken in Bucharest on 14 September 1922:
– Let us move towards this friendship (…), let us strive to ensure that it takes deep root in our consciences and branches out into all spheres of our national energy, for believe me – from this friendship only lasting good can arise for both our nations.
The significance of the President’s visit to Poland was underlined by Gheorghe Marian Cristescu, Chairman of the Chamber, who remarked:
– This is a truly special moment for us, not least because of the presence of such a distinguished guest as the President. This year, we celebrate the 10th anniversary of our Chamber, as we enter a new and exciting phase of our activity.
The central moment of the event was the address delivered by President Nicușor Dan, which drew particular attention from the audience. The President highlighted the strategic importance of Polish–Romanian cooperation, pointing to shared historical values and – above all – to the economic opportunities arising from the partnership between the two countries. He stated:
– Romania is a safe and predictable country – perhaps even somewhat predictably so in foreign policy terms, but in a business context this is a distinct advantage. Romania also has a dynamic economy, having doubled its GDP over the past ten years. It is a market of 20 million people, which may prove particularly attractive for products targeting several markets simultaneously, such as Poland and Romania.
The President went on to stress that Romania is likely to undergo significant economic and strategic developments in the coming years. As early as this summer, the country may join the OECD, opening up new opportunities – including closer cooperation with Poland. In 2027, gas extraction from the Black Sea shelf (approximately 10 billion cubic metres annually) is expected to commence, with the majority destined for export, thereby creating substantial business potential. Meanwhile, the port of Constanța is emerging as a key trade hub in the region, supporting both the reconstruction of Ukraine and broader European integration through the Middle Corridor, as well as expanded road and rail links – including high-speed rail connections planned from 2028. He also highlighted the considerable potential of Romania’s defence industry, built on existing infrastructure, a skilled workforce and the country’s historical experience. In addition, he noted that the development of the automotive sector, together with the high standard of technical, scientific and IT education, provides a solid foundation for the adoption of advanced technologies within the defence sector.
The meeting was moderated by Adam Sobieszkoda, Member of the Board and Executive Director of the Chamber, who recalled the origins and significance of Polish–Romanian Solidarity Day:
– Polish–Romanian Solidarity Day was established by a decision of the parliaments of Poland and Romania three years ago, in 2023, to commemorate the signing of the treaty between the Republic of Poland and the Kingdom of Romania. (…) As history has shown, the Polish–Romanian alliance was of great importance, and today it can serve as both a reference point and a foundation for building strong relations between our countries. The close ties between Marshal Józef Piłsudski and King Ferdinand of Romania may also serve as a firm basis for further strengthening our partnership.
Following the President’s address, a moderated discussion was held with invited guests. The exchange covered a wide range of topics, including economic cooperation, the development of road and rail infrastructure, cybersecurity and advanced technologies, as well as the defence industry.
The reception marking Polish–Romanian Solidarity Day – organised for the second time by the Chamber at the Józef Piłsudski Museum in Sulejówek – once again underscored the importance of Polish–Romanian relations. It also demonstrated the strong interest among both Polish and Romanian businesses in expanding cooperation and exploring new opportunities within the region.
Ada Krzewicka
