From 12-13 May 2026, the President of the Court, Mattias Guyomar, together with the judge elected in respect of Romania, Sebastian Rădulețu, and the Deputy Registrar of the Court, Abel Campos, travelled to Bucharest, Romania, to meet with the President and the interim Prime Minister of Romania as well as with representatives of the highest Romanian judiciary.

The delegation was received by the President of Romania, Nicușor Dan, and also met with the interim Prime Minister, Ilie Bolojan, exchanging on the continued importance of the protection of human rights in the current geopolitical context.

An afternoon was spent at the Constitutional Court of Romania where the delegation was greeted by its President, Professor Elena-Simina Tănăsescu, and by all judges of the court. President Guyomar and Judge Rădulețu held a working meeting with judges on the theme of constitutional democracy and rule of law, and on Protocol No. 16 to the Convention, which allows the highest courts and tribunals of a State Party to ask the Court to give advisory opinions on questions of principle relating to the interpretation or application of the rights and freedoms defined in the Convention or protocols.

President Guyomar highlighted how, over the course of its 75-year history, the Convention had repeatedly demonstrated its ability to bring about positive and tangible change for millions of people across Europe. What made it particularly exceptional was the way in which, by safeguarding individual rights, it helped to ensure the proper functioning of European democracies in the face of contemporary challenges.

The following afternoon the delegation was received by the President of the High Court of Cassation and Justice, Lia Savonea, and held a working meeting with a large number of the court’s judges on the guarantees of judicial independence in the case-law of the European Court, and the application of the Convention in domestic law.

In their speeches, President Guyomar and Judge Rădulețu emphasised how, in applying the Convention, the Court fulfils its role as a watchdog and guardian of democracy and the rule of law, complementing and supporting national courts. A rich question and answer session followed, especially on the Court’s approach to requests for advisory opinions under Protocol No. 16.

The visit concluded with the President being interviewed by the State broadcaster TVR.