In the presence of Asia-Europe Foundation – ASEF, H.E. Ambassador Gheorghe Săvuică launches the first Romanian think-tank dedicated to Asian studies, aiming at significant and responsible „second track diplomacy”, promoting a more robust interaction between Europe and Asia.

The event was held in partnership with ASIA - EUROPE FOUNDATION (ASEF), Singapore, represented at the event by Peter Ryan, Director for Intellectual Cooperation.

After the launching ceremony, Prof. Dr. Sriprapha Petcharamesree from Mahidol University in Thailand, delivered a guest lecture themed “Stories from Borders and Stories of Borders”.

Professor Petcharamesree is a specialist in political science, with a PhD in international medicine from the University of Paris - X Nanterre, and a well-known promoter of human rights in the Asian region.

The lecture focused on offering real life stories, from both Asia and Europe, offering the audience the chance to critically reflect on concepts such as borders and fronteers from legal and political standpoints.

The event was attended by over 80 guests - Ambassadors accredited in Bucharest, members of the Romanian Diplomatic Corps, Honorary Members of IRSEA, officials, political analysts, businessmen, students and representatives of the Romanian media.

The launch received a wide coverage in the Romanian media and was saluted by His Excellency, former Romanian Foreign Minister Lazăr Comănescu, as well as numerous ambassadors accredited in Bucharest.