Dan Ianco, ambassador of the Republic of Romania in Azerbaijan gave an exclusive interview to Eurasia Diary. During interview, the ambassador spoke about Franchoponie, cultural relations between Romanian and French nations and also the role of Romania in political dialogue between Azerbaijan and NATO.

Eurasia Diary: What is the importance of Francophonie for Romania?

Dan Iancu: Romania is one of the leading countries in the Francophonie movement, and this is based on the strong and uninterrupted cultural and artistic links developed between Romania and France since the 19th century. For Romanians, it has been traditional to learn French since the 17th-18th century. Just to give you another persuasive image – more than one million pupils in Romania are currently studying the French language as part of the regular curricula. Romania is also active politically in the Francophonie: my country hosted the 2006 summit of the organization.

Eurasia Diary: How can you estimate cultural ties between French and Romanian nations?

Dan Iancu: We had always had a very close connection owing to our languages - both Romanian and French are of Latin origin. Romanians have made important contributions to the French (and universal) culture – there is a wide range of artists, writers, musicians which started their careers in Romania and later on expressed themselves both as Romanian and French artists. The world-renowned sculptor Konstantin Brankuzi is one of them: we have organized these days a photo exhibition in Baku showcasing some of his most famous works.

Eurasia Diary: Romania is one of the active members of NATO. What is your opinion regarding the role of Romania in military activities of NATO?

Dan Iancu: As you know, the Embassy of Romania has been for eight years NATO Contact Point Embassy for Azerbaijan. Over these years we have directly contributed to the intensification of the political dialogue and cooperation between NATO and Azerbaijan. And we will continue to do so in the future. Azerbaijan is a reliable and trusted partner of the Alliance.

Dan Iancu has presented the Letters of Credence, as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Romania to Azerbaijan, on 5 October 2016.

Before taking up the current position he headed the Republic of Moldova Division in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Bucharest.

Dan Iancu joined the Romanian diplomatic service in January 1999. He was posted to the PR of China (2001-2005) and Belgium (as deputy head of mission, 2007-2012). He has graduated the Bucharest University of Economic Studies, Faculty of International Economic Relations.

Born in 1973, Dan Iancu is married, his wife – Mihaela – is also a diplomat. 

By Yunis Abdullayev