London Stock Exchange Group opens first office in Romania

London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG) opened its first office in Bucharest on Friday, February 1st. UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt was present at the ceremony, stressing that the volume of bilateral economic exchanges is rising and reached 4 billion euros. He expressed confidence that this trend will continue after Brexit.

RRA Reporter Alina Stănuţă: UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Jeremy Hunt, says that after his country leaves the EU, trade with Europe will be fundamental for London's economic success.

Having been present in Bucharest to participate in the official opening of the first LSEG office in Romania, British official said he was confident that the economic relations between Romania and the UK would continue to grow and he reminded that about 5,000 British companies invested over 1.5 billion euros in the Romanian economy.

Jeremy Hunt: The whole prosperity of Great Britain was built on free trade. After we leave the EU, we are determined not only to preserve this tradition, but to increase it by encouraging and promoting free trade around the world, and trade with Europe is fundamental to our economic success. As Britain re-positions itself on the global stage, we seek to build new economic relationships with our partners, including Romania.

RRA Reporter: In the message sent by Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă, Deputy Prime Minister Ana Birchall welcomed the decision of the London Stock Exchange management to open a regional hub in Bucharest and stressed the importance of this investment for Romania.

Ana Birchall: Official opening of this office in Bucharest marks an important day for the Strategic Partnership between Romania and the UK, a day that strengthens and develops this partnership, especially from an economic perspective. Opening of this office in Bucharest will allow employing over 400 Romanians of high professionalism.

RRA Reporter: Also on Friday, Jeremy Hunt, Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, was welcomed by President Klaus Iohannis. Head of State has pointed out that a withdrawal from the EU without an agreement in London will have significant negative consequences for both UK and EU Member States.

With regard to bilateral relations, the two highlighted the very good political dialogue, part of the Strategic Partnership launched in 2003 and revised in 2011, which has evolved positively over the years, mainly in the areas of security and defense.

According to a press release, President Klaus Iohannis underlined the role of the Romanian community in the UK in strengthening the bilateral relationship and the importance that Romania attaches to protection of the rights of its citizens in the UK, in the context of Brexit.

On the other hand, UK Foreign Affairs Minister and Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă emphasized the evolution of economic exchanges, marked by positive trend of trade, as well as the special contribution of the Romanian community within the British society. In this context, Romanian Prime Minister reiterated interest in expanding bilateral co-operation, including in terms of capitalizing on the remarkable human potential that outlines the Romanian-British relationship.

Meeting at Victoria Palace also occasioned an exchange of views on Brexit. Romanian Prime Minister stressed the importance of this European dossier, including how important it is to be finalized during the current Romanian EU Council Presidency.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei