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Dialogue between Romanian ForMin Corlatean and the US senators on Romania's position on NATO's eastern flank
Foreign Affairs Minister Titus Corlatean met a US Congress delegation on Sunday; he pointed out to Senators John McCain, Ron Johnson and Christopher Murphy the political relevance of the Romania-US Strategic Partnership on the regional level, and the importance of Romania's position on NATO's eastern flank, within the current security context.
According to a press release of the Foreign Affairs Ministry (MAE), the Romanian official asked for the US senators' support to an increased presence of the United States and of NATO in Romania, on long term, and for the consolidation of the Black Sea region profile on the foreign relations agenda of the United States, 'including through the visible and firm support for the democratic, European, or Euro-Atlantic aspirations of the Republic of Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia.'
Corlatean thus underlined the importance of the next NATO Summit for the consolidation of the collective defence and of the transatlantic relation, focusing on US commitment to a substantial contribution to European security, as European allies also assume their obligations, especially in terms increases of their defence budgets.
'The top Romanian diplomat appreciated the mix of political, military and security steps taken by the United States and NATO to ensure the collective defence and security of Romania; within this context, he saluted the initiative announced by US President Barack Obama in Warsaw, on the extended support to the European allies. He also highlighted Romania's support for concrete decisions at the NATO Summit in the United Kingdom, as regards the open doors policy,' the document mentions.
The dialogue between Corlatean and the US senators also stressed the 'transparent and democratic' character of the May 25 elections in Ukraine, resulting in the election of President Petro Poroshenko; the Romanian official maintained in this context that 'the legitimation of a new president of Ukraine by a poll provides the necessary framework for the re-establishment of the democratic construction on solid foundations, and helps a sustainable reconciliation and reform process.'
He also evoked the importance of accelerating the European and Euro-Atlantic integration process for Western Balkan countries, and he voiced his satisfaction about the increased attention paid by the United States to the Republic of Moldova.
'Corlatean pleaded for the intensification of joint steps towards the acceleration of the European path of the Republic of Moldova, and stressed the importance of enacting projects in shared interest area, especially the consolidation of the energy security of the Republic of Moldova. To this effect, he pointed out the importance of the Iasi-Ungheni gas pipeline, and the need for extending it to meet the energy needs of the Republic of Moldova,' the release adds.
The US senators warmly thanked Romania for the consolidation of its partnership relation with the United States, mentioning in this context the commissioning of the missile defence system, and Romania's support for the transit of American forces to and from Afghanistan.
The American congressional delegation also praised 'Romania's stabilizing role in the region' and the Romanian Government's commitment to increase the defence budget.
Also mentioned were topics pertaining to the intensification of the bilateral cooperation and to the exploitation of Romania's energy potential, and to the perspectives of Romania's access to the Visa Waiver programme.
The presence of US senators in Bucharest is a part of the enhanced dialogue between Romania and the United States over the recent period, which's central topics are the consolidation of the bilateral Strategic Partnership, and the response to new regional security challenges.
Meeting Senators McCain (Republican, Arizona), Johnson (Republican, Wisconsin) and Christopher Murphy (Democrat, Connecticut) of the United States Senate Committee on Foreign Relations alongside Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean on Sunday was Defence Ministry State Secretary for Defence Policy and Planning Valeriu Nicut.