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Iohannis: European leaders concerned about Romania situation
President Klaus Iohannis said that he discussed on the sidelines of the informal European Council meeting in Malta this Friday with almost all European leaders who were in unison to voice "concern" at the situation in Romania.
"In the breaks of the event I had multiple talks with almost all European leaders. People wanted to learn from me what happens in Romania, how the situation develops and I couldn't go through it all over again because it would take too long, but it is important to know that they are all vividly interested, they all are concerned and hoping for Romania to do everything possible to firmly stay the course of rule of law," the head of the state said after the first session of the European Council in Malta.
He emphasized that all the European leaders with whom he discussed appreciated the fact that the Romanians have a "powerful voice."
"They were left positively impressed when I told them that hundreds of thousands of Romanians rallied in the streets to defend the rule of law in Romania. Everyone, I repeat this, everyone would deeply regret if Romania took steps back from the rule of law status," the President said.
President Klaus Iohannis on Friday had a short discussion before the European Council meeting in La Valletta with several European leaders, among whom German Chancellor Angela Merkel, according to the images sent by the European Commission audiovisual service.
In this brief talk also participating, among others, were Lithuania's President Dalia Grybauskaite, Finland's Prime Minister Juha Sipila and Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte.
I don't anticipate such a scenario, but I will definitely have very many informal talks, because people will want to know, will want to find out what is happening in Romania, the head of state said, asked if he anticipates a scenario in the context in which it has been circulated in the public space that it is not ruled out for Romania to be sanctioned by the EU.
Before the summit in Malta, the head of state said that the situation in Romania is very complicated.
He said that this is an important summit, with high expectations and a good path for Europe as well as a good path to the summit in Rome must be found.
Iohannis voiced himself worried with what is happening in Romania, adding that there are hundreds of thousand Romanians protesting, whom he had faith in, and that a good solution would be found, because the rule of law and European values must prevail.
He also said that investors in Romania are not threatened, as the economic situation is still very good and he believes it will stay this way.
President Klaus Iohannis participates in Malta on Friday in the informal meeting of the European Council, with the main topics on the agenda aimed at the external dimension of migration and the preparation of the meeting of EU leaders to take place in Rome in March.