The first Dutch diplomatic representative in Romania was established on 21 December 1841 with a vice-consulate in Galaţi. On 25 August 1856, a mission was established in Bucharest as a consulate-general with broader powers and duties and in 1857 four honorary consulates were founded: in Botoşani, Focşani, Roman and Giurgiu. In January 1880, the Netherlands recognized the independence of Romania and the consulate in Bucharest was raised to diplomatic agency level. The consul Jean A. Keun presented his letter of credence as Chargé d'affaires. On 13 February 1880, Romania and the Netherlands officially launched the diplomatic relations at the level of legation.[3]
Between 1880 and 1898 Romania was represented in the Netherlands through its legation in Brussels. The first head of the mission called on 17 April 1880 was minister Mihai Mitilineu. In 1898, a Romanian legation was established in The Hague led by Ion N. Papiniu. In 1900 the Romanian legation in The Hague had in subordination the general-consulate of Rotterdam and the consulates of Amsterdam, Dordrecht and Scheveningen.[3]
On 25 August 1966 the relationships between Romania and the Netherlands were raised to embassy level.[3]
Rotterdam and Constanţa are twinned since 1968 and Sibiu is officially twinned with Deventer since 2007.[4]
In 2013, record values were registered in terms of the value of the trade exchanges volume, Romanian exports, and Dutch investments in Romania. The volume of trade exchanges had a total of 3573.93 million euro (export: 1538.06, import: 2035.87), up by +11.77% over 2012.[5] The Netherlands has maintained and strengthened its position among the top ten trade partners of Romania.
The Netherlands holds the first place in the ranking by country of residence of investors in companies with foreign capital. More than six thousand companies with Dutch capital were registered. Main business fields with high potential for bilateral cooperation are energy and environment, infrastructure development, architecture,[6] industrial subcontracting, agriculture, tourism, information technology and telecommunications. Among the main Dutch investors in Romania are Unilever, ING Group, Philips, Damen Group, Friesland Campina, Heineken, Nutricia, KPMG, Nuon, Wavin, Fokker, and DAF Trucks.[5]
From 2014 to 2015, the number of migrant workers from Romania in the Netherlands increased from 6 thousand to 13 thousand. As of 2014, Romanian nationals can work in the Netherlands without work permit restrictions.[7]
Legal framework:[5]
- 19 April 1994, Bucharest: Governmental Agreement on Mutual Promotion and Protection of Investments (in force since 1 February 1995).
- 5 March 1998, The Hague: Convention for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to Taxes on Income and Wealth (in force since 29 July 1999).
- 5 March 1998: Memorandum of Understanding regarding the Economic Cooperation Programme between the two Governments (in force since 11 August 1998).
- 25 April 2005, Neimënster Abbey: Treaty of Accession 2005 (effective 1 January 2007).
- 2008: Memorandum of Understanding regarding water management between Romanian Waters National Administration and Water Administrations Union of the Netherlands.
Netherlands to Romania
- Royal visits:
- Visits at Prime Minister level:[9]
- Visits at ministerial level:
Romania to the Netherlands
- High level visits:
- Visits at Prime Minister level:[9]
- 1996, 1997, 2002, 2004, 2006, 2016
- Visits at ministerial level:[9]
In 2001, Michael I of Romania visited the Netherlands. In 2019, his daughter Margareta of Romania visited the Netherlands to consolidate Dutch-Romanian relations.[12]
While the Netherlands was one of the founding members of the EU, Romania joined the EU in 2007.
While the Netherlands was one of the founding members of NATO, Romania joined NATO in 2004.
