After debating the pros and cons of a single language for Europe, top public speakers from Mihai Viteazul National College, Ploiesti and Builth Wells High School, Wales were celebrated at a reception for the English Speaking Union at the British Ambassador Quinton Quayle's residence. The conclusion of the debate, if you're interested, was: diversity makes Europe what it is.

After a week of flooding in the capital, the clouds parted and summer returned just at the right moment for the Chinese Embassy and Ambassador Xu Jian to hold their national day celebrations on the front lawn of the embassy

President Basescu joined Inferior Saxony's Prime Minister Christian Wulff and Calin Popescu Tariceanu to celebrate Germany's Day of Unity at the Crowne Plaza, Bucharest. Greeted by Ambassador Wilfred Gruber, the president said: “No other country knows what Romania is going through as well as Germany, because it went through a similar process when integrating the former Democratic Republic of Germany.”

Authentic Italian cuisine is now on the menu at the Athenee Palace Hilton, with the opening of a new Italian restaurant, Roberto's. Sardinian chef Manlio Mocci has imported regional flavours from regions such as Rome, Tuscany and Venice for the new restaurant, coupled with home-made pasta and washed down with a selection of Italian and Romanian wines.

Speaker of the Hellenic Parliament Ms Anna Psarouda-Benaki made an official visit to Bucharest, where a reception was held in her honour at the Embassy of Greece

On 9 October Romania commemorated Holocaust Day, marking the beginning of the 1942 Jewish deportation to Transnistria, under the Ion Antonescu regime. President Traian Basescu and Prime Minister Calin Popescu Tariceanu laid wreaths at the Jewish Coral Temple on Strada Sf. Vineri. The Rroma Holocaust has still not been officially recognised by the Romanian authorities.

Relaxing after the joint unprecedented session of the Romanian and Hungarian Governments, a gala concert was offered at the Romanian Athenaeum in the presence of Prime Ministers Calin Popescu Tariceanu and Ferenc Gyurcsany, with work by Enescu and Bartok, whose bilateral 'Romanian Dances' provoked a standing ovation.

Ambassador of Nigeria Umar Iliya Damagum greeted guests at the Diplomatic Club with a selection of authentic African curried and kebab meats and a colourful display of national costume to celebrate the nation's day.