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Estonia's Prime Minister Juri Ratas,welcomed at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace
Romania's President Klaus Iohannis on Wednesday welcomed Estonia's Prime Minister Juri Ratas at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, underscoring the importance attached by Romania to the NATO defence and deterrence posture being consolidated on the eastern flank, including at a summit of NATO heads of state or government scheduled for May 25 in Brussels.
The Presidential Administration says the talks between Iohannis and Ratas focused on items on the European, bilateral and regional agenda, mainly in the defence area.
Given that Estonia will take over — for the first time, the six-month rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union on July 1, Ratas unveiled his country's priorities, including an open and sustainable European economy, a Europe that is safe and secure in the eyes of its citizens and steered toward digitisation and innovation.
He mentioned that Estonia is a strong supporter of Romania's joining the border-free Schengen Area.
Iohannis thanked the Estonian official for his presence in Bucharest, the first official visit to Romania by an Estonian prime minister, voicing support for the priorities of Estonia's incoming presidency of the Council of the EU.
The two officials also discussed the development of the EU digital market, with Iohannis underscoring that Romania is paying special attention to this topic, having recorded excellent results in the digital world.
Iohannis hailed the highest level of the bilateral relationship between Romania and Estonia, confirmed by the recent opening of their respective embassies. The two also voiced interest in 2018, a year that carries a historical significance for both countries, with Romania celebrating its national independence centennial — to provide an opportunity for a boost to bilateral economic cooperation through meetings of the business communities in the two countries.
As far as security goes, Iohannis highlighted the need for joint action to increase consistency in the approach of the NATO eastern flank, which still has to be further consolidated.
"The fact that the two countries are among the NATO member states having committed themselves to earmark 2 percent of their Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for defence spending is significant contribution toward strengthening the trans-Atlantic ties," according to the Presidential Administration.
Iohannis also voiced Romania's support for the fight against terror by joining the global efforts aimed at eradicating this scourge.
The two officials also voiced interest in the EU's Eastern Partnership being consolidated, with Iohannis expressing Romania's support for the Eastern Partnership summit during the Estonian presidency of the Council of the EU this November to be a success, steered toward getting actual results for the eastern partners.
Iohannis and Ratas underscored the importance of active support for the Western Balkans, with Iohannis highlighting the importance of the EU continuing its open-door policy toward the countries in the region at the same time with boosting reforms in line with European values.