Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dăncilă made the announcement during her speech at the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) conference, which began on Sunday in Washington, DC.
"I, as prime minister of Romania, and the government I lead, will move our embassy to Jerusalem," Dăncilă said. "Our support of the State of Israel and the Jewish community is constant. I am determined to contribute to closer relations between Israel and the entire European Union, particularly now, when Romania is holding the presidency of the Council of the European Union."
She promised that Romania would "remain the same loyal friend and the strongest European voice in support of the Jewish people and the State of Israel," concluding with the words, "shalom chaveirim (Peace friends), see you in Jerusalem."
Prior to her announcement, Honduras President Juan Orlando Hernández said his country would "immediately" open its diplomatic mission in Jerusalem. Hernández's comments at AIPAC would make Honduras the latest in a line to open missions in the capital.
"Honduras will immediately open our official diplomatic mission and this will extend our embassy to the capital of Israel, Jerusalem," Hernández told the crowd. The move by Romania has been in development for several months.In February, an Israeli delegation traveled to Bucharest to strengthen ties and reaffirm the interfaith diplomatic relationship between the two sides. The delegation was headed by Israeli Minister for Social Equality Gila Gamliel, who met with Dancila, as well as many other ministers and members of of the Romanian parliament to encourage "active support for the State of Israel."
The main topic of discussion during the visit was the relocation of the Romanian Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.As early as October 2018, Romania reported that it had completed the analytical report on the potential relocation of Romania's Embassy in Israel to Jerusalem.Zachary Keyser contributed to this report.