Ambassador of Romania Dr. Dan Stoenescu Meets Federal Minister Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and KPT Chairman Ateeq-ur-Rehman to Boost Pakistan–Romania Maritime Cooperation
Karachi, The Gulf Observer: The Ambassador of Romania to Pakistan, Dr. Dan Stoenescu, held a working meeting with Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs, and Mr. Ateeq-ur-Rehman, Chairman of the Karachi Port Trust (KPT), at the Karachi Port Trust Board on the sidelines of the Pakistan International Maritime Exhibition and Conference (PIMEC 2025). The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral maritime and trade cooperation between Pakistan and Romania.
During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of building a stronger maritime partnership, acknowledging the strategic significance of their respective ports — the Port of Constanța as a key Black Sea gateway to Europe, and the Port of Karachi as a major maritime hub for South Asia and the Middle East. The talks covered avenues for cooperation in port operations, trade facilitation, and logistics, with a shared commitment to promoting mutually beneficial initiatives aimed at regional connectivity and economic growth.
A key focus of the discussions was the forthcoming Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Port of Constanța and the Port of Karachi, which has already been negotiated and is expected to be signed soon. The MoU will serve as a framework for long-term collaboration, covering areas such as technical expertise exchange in port management, infrastructure development, and digital logistics. It also aims to facilitate trade routes linking Europe, Central Asia, and South Asia via the Black Sea and the Arabian Sea, while promoting sustainability, green port technologies, and efficient cargo handling systems.
Both parties explored the development of port logistics and infrastructure, including modern cargo handling systems, smart port technologies, and streamlined customs and shipping procedures to improve efficiency. The Port of Constanța’s experience in multimodal transport — integrating sea, rail, and road networks — was highlighted as a potential model for knowledge sharing to enhance Karachi Port’s global connectivity.
Human resource development was also discussed as a vital component of sustainable maritime growth. The two sides examined the possibility of creating training and exchange programs for KPT officials and technical staff with Romanian counterparts, focusing on port management, maritime safety, environmental standards, and digital logistics systems. Such initiatives would contribute to building a skilled workforce capable of managing advanced port operations.
Additionally, the meeting underscored opportunities for expanding trade and investment through public-private partnerships and joint ventures in port infrastructure. Enhanced cooperation between the two ports is expected to open new trade corridors linking South Asia, Europe, and Central Asia, bolstering Pakistan’s role in global maritime trade and enhancing Romania’s access to Asian markets.
Ambassador Dan Stoenescu reaffirmed Romania’s commitment to strengthening sustainable economic and diplomatic ties with Pakistan, describing the maritime partnership between Constanța and Karachi as “a practical step toward connecting our two regions through commerce, innovation, and friendship.”
The meeting concluded with both sides expressing their intention to move forward with the signing of the MoU and to deepen cooperation beyond the maritime sector — including in economic, educational, and cultural fields — reaffirming the growing partnership between Pakistan and Romania based on shared goals of prosperity, connectivity, and mutual understanding.
