Romania needs a real strategy for promoting its image abroad, which can’t be made through a logo or an advertising clip, but with a vision and a complex set of actions, President Klaus Iohannis said in a speech held on Thursday, January 8, during a gala organised by the League of Romanian Students Abroad.

“I’d like you to be my partners in such an action because, through what you’re doing, you are already ambassadors of Romania and I want to thank you for that,” Iohannis told Romanian students, according to Agerpres.

“We hear that there are no more models in Romania, that young people can’t find models to look up to in our society or that, unfortunately, values enjoy little recognition. There are models, values and examples, we just have look beyond what is first seen and listen beyond the noise, we must have the courage to recognize and promote them," the President said.

He added that the Gala’s finalists are the proof that there are values and models. “First of all, we have to rediscover the models and values, to bring them to light, to respect them. Second of all, if we want to build something sustainable, we’ll have to make performance a goal in all areas and finally, on a long term, we’ll have to invest in the education that leads to performance.”

He mentioned another important target which is to bring back the young people to the country.

The President awarded the prize for best student in Romania to Ionut Budisteanu, computer scientist and inventor, winner of several international competitions.

Irina Popescu, irina.popescu@romania-insider.com