Romania–United Kingdom relations
 | |
 United Kingdom |
 Romania |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| British Embassy, Bucharest | Embassy of Romania in London |
| Envoy | |
| Giles Portman | Dan Mihalache |
British–Romanian relations are bilateral foreign relations between United Kingdom and Romania. Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1880. Both countries are members of NATO. The United Kingdom has an embassy in Bucharest and Romania has an embassy in London. Romania also has two consulates general in Edinburgh and Manchester. Romania also has five honorary consulates based in Leeds, Newcastle, Inverness, Liverpool and Bristol. Romania has a cultural institute in London. The United Kingdom gave full support to Romania's applications for membership in the European Union and NATO.
History
In 1588, Petru Șchiopul, the Prince of Moldavia, concluded a trade treaty with Elizabeth I of England. Through the treaty, English merchants were allowed to conduct free trade in the country while paying only a 3% customs tax on the value of goods, as opposed to the 12% tax imposed on other merchants.[1][2]
At the Congress of Berlin 1877 to 1878, Great Britain worked to assist Romania's goal of breaking away from the Ottoman Empire. The British and Russian delegations negotiated a deal whereby Romania obtained its independence, with conditions. While Britain was unable to gain all that it wanted, it did manage to prevent Russian expansion into the Mediterranean. The result was good relations between Britain and Romania. [3]
Princess Marie of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha and of Edinburgh, a British Princess as granddaughter of Queen Victoria I of the United Kingdom, married Crown Prince Ferdinand of Romania, the couple later became King Ferdinand I and Queen Marie.
In recent years relations between Britain and Romania have soured due to what some hold to be xenophobic reports in the British press.[4]
In June 2023, King Charles III visited Bucharest in a first visit by any reigning British monarch to the country.
Economic relations
Trade between the United Kingdom and Romania is governed by the EU–UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement since 1 January 2021.[5][6]
Companies
Royal Bank of Scotland operated in Romania between 15 October 2008 and 31 December 2015.[7]
The Romanian subsidiary of the British company Vodafone is the second largest mobile network operator in the country.
One of the best known Romanian brands in the United Kingdom is Dacia. It has a wide spread network of dealers throughout the country.[8]
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