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French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace
Romania's President Klaus Iohannis on Friday welcomed visiting French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
According to the Presidential Administration, the visit of the French minister takes place as part of intense high-level EU and NATO Romanian-French coordination and the 15th anniversary of the joint declaration on a strategic partnership between the two countries, as well as an increase in France's contribution to the NATO deterrence and defence posture in Romania.
Iohannis emphasised the importance to Romania of the strategic partnership and its bilateral relationship with France, which is based on historical ties, strong friendship, cultural affinity, as well as dynamic co-operation and common interests in multiple areas.
Discussed at the meeting were recent developments in and prospects for joint economic, security and defence projects, as well as recent developments in the Black Sea region security, with emphasis on support to Ukraine, intensifying humanitarian assistance and facilitating grain exports. The need for further strengthening the sanctions against the Russian Federation was also approached.
The Presidential Administration says that Iohannis thanked France for supporting Romania's efforts to join the Schengen area, as well as for its contribution to strengthening security and defence in the Black Sea region, especially by taking up the leadership of the NATO battlegroup in Romania as part of the NATO efforts to create a more coherent and stronger defence on its entire eastern flank.
Regarding the regional security crisis generated by the military aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, Iohannis highlighted its consequences at the regional, European and global level, with emphasis on security, energy and food security consequences.
He reiterated the need to keep up solidarity and continue the efforts of the international community to support Ukraine and mentioned Romania's support to Ukrainian refugees and facilitating the transit of grain from Ukraine using Romania's land and naval infrastructure.
Regarding the eastern neighbourhood of NATO and the European Union, Iohannis highlighted the need to continue active support for Moldova to help it face the challenges generated by the energy crisis and the security situation at its borders.
He welcomed the involvement of France, along with Germany and Romania, in the Moldova Support Platform voicing at the same time his support for the European integration of Moldova and Ukraine.
In her turn, Colonna praised co-operation between Romania and France and said that her visit to Bucharest is another expression of the solidity of the strategic partnership and of France's interest in working closely with Romania to find solutions to the multidimensional consequences of the security crisis generated by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.
Regarding Romania's accession to the Schengen area, she pointed out that France will continue its firm support to Romania achieving its goal.