A Stage in Romanian-Turkish Diplomatic Relations: The Romanian Embassy in Ankara (1938-1940)
A Stage in Romanian-Turkish Diplomatic Relations: The Romanian Embassy in Ankara (1938-1940)

Summary/Abstract: Romanian-Turkish relations went through several stages between the two world wars, both in terms of political-military relations and in terms of diplomatic representation. Raising the level of diplomatic representation from legation to embassy in 1939 was an initiative of King Charles II, who wanted to consolidate his regime by achieving diplomatic successes. The death of president Atatürk and the appointment of a new head of state in Ankara delayed the creation of the Turkish embassy in Bucharest. Türkiye was therefore the last member of the Balkan Pact to implement the agreement reached by the four Allied states in the last months of 1938. Romania and Türkiye also adopted different formulas for the appointment of ambassadors. Although the leaders in Ankara opted for the appointment as ambassador of the diplomat who had been in charge of the diplomatic mission in Bucharest since 1931, the leadership in Bucharest appointed, in the period 1939-1940, two ambassadors (V. Stoica and R. Crutzescu). Even if there were changes at the symbolic level and regarding the rules of diplomatic precedence, this new stage did not produce important changes in the relations between the two allied states.

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