Romania's Ambassador to Samoa has presented his credentials to the Member of the Council of Deputies, Le Mamea Tuiletufuga Ropati Mualia.

The credentials presentation ceremony for the Canberra-based Ambassador, Radu Gabriel Safta was held on Wednesday morning at Samoa's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in Apia.

According to a press release issued by the MFAT, Samoa and Romania have enjoyed cordial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in March 2006, with the country continuing to benefit from assistance through the European Union Development Fund. The fund supports regional development assistance programs channelled through the Pacific Islands Forum.  

The two countries have also worked collaboratively at the United Nations to advance their common goals for the prosperity of the two countries and their peoples. 

Mr. Safta emphasised the importance of utilising the available avenues for enhancing cooperation such as their membership in the Pacific Islands Forum where the EU is a dialogue partner and at the ACP-EU partnership, which includes the upcoming Samoa Agreement signing in Apia next month. 

Le Mamea expressed his confidence in the appointment of Mr. Safta as Ambassador of Romania to Samoa which he said will further strengthen the two countries' bilateral relations. 

A career diplomat who has held various senior positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania, Mr. Safta held diplomatic rankings of first secretary, counsellor, minister-counsellor and minister plenipotentiary in various Romanian missions. 

He was also consul general of Romania in Toronto, Canada as well as in Istanbul, Turkey and his country's Representative to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organisation. 

He was also posted as Ambassador of Romania in Pretoria, South Africa and a non-resident Ambassador to Namibia, Botswana, Mozambique and Lesotho.   

Mr. Safta is currently the Ambassador of Romania to Australia with cross-accreditation to Samoa and holds a PhD in International Relations and European Studies from the Babeş Bolyai University in Romania.