Guest writer Adina Bigas has asked several expats who live in Romania what they love most about their adoptive country, and what they wish for 2014.

Annita Pakioufaki, from Greece, Managing Director, Stanton Chase

What do you love about Romania?

The beautiful countryside, the churches and the medieval cities. It is a country with rare, simple and natural beauty that is still unspoiled. Also the people that made me feel welcome from the first moment I arrived. I can admit that this country very positively surprised me.

What do you hate / don't like here?

Being Greek I do not like the cold weather. I miss the endless sunshine and beaches of my country.

What do you wish Romania for 2014?

I wish from the bottom of my heart 2014 to bring some stability in this country, with better economic and growth forecasts. This country has big opportunities for foreign investment that have not been exploited.

A piece of advice for Romanians?

Be patient, all good things mature with time. Invest in your personal development and you will be rewarded when the proper time comes.

Clotilde Armand, from France, GM of Egis Romania

What do you love about Romania?

There are many things that I like about Romania. What I like most is this nice mixture between its faithfulness for the old values of the Occidental world and the attraction for the latest technology, latest fashion and latest theories in any field, wherever it may come from.

Let’s take the Christmas cards: they are usually full of very nice, holy words, about our souls, about the child Christ, about happiness, about peace of the heart. At the same time, most of these cards will come by email, embedded with the latest tricks you can add on those electronic cards. I love this combination.

I love the Romanian people, usually full of the wisdom of the educated people not half-witted by materialism easiness, and at the same time in advance of France, for instance, on latest fashion. Bring back to your home countries some fashion items from Romania: you will make very happy early adopters back there!

What do you hate / don't like here?

What I do not like is Romanians’ self-depreciation for their own country. I find it bad taste - like criticizing in an unloving way your own parents while thou shall honour your father and mother – I find it untrue, and showcasing a lack of self-humility. The right to criticize is something you win with hard constructive work, with heavy contribution to your country’s good, or through unfair suffering...

What do you wish Romania for 2014?

I wish Romanians to continue along this specific personal path, joining modernity and strong traditional values, assuming who they are and the way they are, and of course hard work and dedication to contribute, all of us, to the good of this community!

Thorsten Kirschner, from Germany, International Development & Tourism Consultant, Partner at City Compass Tours & Events*

What do you love about Romania?

I love the unique beauty of the country, one of Europe's last undiscovered hidden gems and the flexibility of the people to adapt and to live their life under difficult conditions.

How did you end up living in Romania?

I worked for the German Government for an economic development project in Romania. Travelling on the weekend I saw that there was a huge potential for tourism development in Bucharest, but especially outside of Bucharest, i.e. in Buzau county with the wine region Dealu Mare and the Carpathian Mountains. Together with my family we decided to stay in Romania and to dedicate 100% of our time to tourism.

Which are your greetings for Romania in 2014?

My wish for 2014 is to read something positive about Romania in the foreign press, no more stray dogs, no more corruption, no immigration topics. For example: "Gold medals for Romanian wine producer, outpacing famous Bordeaux wines", "Romania to become European destination of excellence", "Boosting economy makes thousand of Romanians immigrants return home"

Your advice for Romanians?

My advice is to keep the eyes open for the opportunities and treasures of the country, not only for the deficits. Keep in mind the traditions of the country, the simplicity, the natural offer - without making compromises in terms of quality. This is the real asset of Romania which can contribute to economic development.

Sotiris Chatzidakis, from Greece, Executive Vice President, CEO Clubs

What do you love about Romania?

It’s very difficult to include everything in a few words! But I’ll try: The openness and warmth of the Romanian people, the wonderful nature, the genuine hospitality, my friends and papanasi!!!!!!!

What don't you like in Romania?

The lack of a common vision for this country. It can do so much…

Which are your wishes / greetings for Romania for 2014?

A national vision that will connect everybody towards greatness

A piece of advice for Romanians?

Love and care more for your country! Act individually. Do the right thing no matter what the person next to you is doing. One day, YOU will be that person and we’ll all be doing right. Simple people make the biggest changes!

By Adina Bigas, guest writer

(*Editor's note: City Compass is a partner company with Romania-Insider.com, and Thorsten Kirschner is also a guest writer on this site)