The traditional gala of the Association of Turkish Businessmen (TIAD), held on the National Day of the Turkish Republic and marking 140 years of diplomatic relations between Romania and Turkey, the Romanian Centennial and 25 years of TIAD activity, brought together on Friday evening, at the Palace of Parliament, more than 800 guests, including ministers, ambassadors, representatives of various companies, businessmen. The most moving speeches of the evening were those given by His Excellency Osman Koray Ertas, Turkish Ambassador to Bucharest, and Mr Guven Gungor, President of the Association of Turkish Businessmen in Romania (TIAD Romania). Both speakers emphasised the continuous development registered during the 140 years of bilateral relations, currently raised to the level of strategic partnership. Present at the event, Stefan-Radu Oprea, the Minister for Business Environment, Commerce and Entrepreneurship used the opportunity to underline the excellent dynamics of bilateral economic relations and to express the will of Romanian side to further strengthen this cooperation. At present, the two countries share an exemplary multi-dimensional and multilateral relationship, with close collaborations in numerous fields, especially economy, defence, culture, security, tourism, but also in what concerns inter-personal relations. In what concerns bilateral trade, Turkey is Romania’s top non-EU trade partner, the volume of bilateral trade surpassing the EUR 5 billion threshold for the first time in 2017. The speeches were followed by a veritable show, the unmistakable Sertab Erener being among the artists that thrilled the numerous guests.