Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy

The 23rd Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, traditionally held before Diplomacy Day on September 1st, is the first in-person meeting after the previous three online editions.

The main themes of this year's Romanian Diplomacy Meeting are related to the management of challenges in the Black Sea area and maximizing opportunities. At the meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions and directors of the Romanian cultural institutes, president Klaus Iohannis has reiterated the fact that Romania will keep supporting Ukraine as long as necessary. Bucharest will also stay by the side of the Republic of Moldova, helping it with financial assistance, expertise and political support, for an irreversible European path, but also in the building of a safe and prosperous state.

According to the Romanian head of state, the priority of the moment is obtaining a political decision to start EU accession negotiations with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Also, Iohannis stressed, it's Romania's duty to continue to be a genuine provider of security and prosperity in the region, so that the Black Sea becomes a region where peace and prosperity can no longer be subject to any threat. A big issue in the process of full integration into the European Union, Romania's joining the Schengen Agreement remains a priority for the coming period, the president also said. This goal must be achieved, both based on the already recognized  performances of our country and as a confirmation of the fact that the EU is able to respond to the need for cohesion, resilience and increased security.

Romanian diplomacy has managed to place the country among the important regional players, said in turn Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. "We are preparing to create our own contribution to the reconstruction of Ukraine, just as we will continue to strengthen the resilience of the Republic of Moldova", stressed the head of the Romanian Government. The prime minister also called on the Romanian diplomats to support Romanian companies to enter as many foreign markets as possible. On the other hand, he drew attention to the fact that next year there will be three types of elections for Romanian citizens abroad, which must be organized properly.

For his part, the Speaker of the Romanian Senate, Nicolae Ciucă, has stated that Romania has proven that it is a reliable partner in the region, ensuring the transit through the solidarity corridors established at the level of the European Union and through the initiative regarding the export of grains through the Black Sea.

The Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy is an opportunity to update priorities in a context dominated by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, an unprecedented threat to peace, security and international order based on rules, believes the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Luminiţa Odobescu. According to her, citizens must benefit from the opportunities provided by the actions undertaken by the Romanian diplomacy, even in this extremely difficult context. According to the Romanian Foreign Minister, more steps will be taken to strengthen Romania's profile within the European Union, NATO and internationally. (MI)