RSS
Ministers Aurescu, Ashkenazi agree on kicking off preparations for Romania-Israel third gov't meeting in 2021
Romania's Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu had a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and political consultations with Israeli Foreign Minister Gabi Ashkenazi to agree on starting preparations for a new joint session of the two national governments in 2021.
The two foreign ministers agreed to set up a working group of experts to work on the substantive preparations of the joint governmental meeting in favorite areas of mutual interest, such as agriculture, water management, IT, cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, for the identification of concrete co-operation projects.
"We have also agreed on an important measure, namely the creation of a working group dedicated to strengthening economic and trade links between Romania and Israel in areas such as agriculture, in particular water management, and health, but also cooperation in areas such as IT, artificial intelligence, technology and cybersecurity. There are many opportunities in these areas. The working group will not be limited to these three to four mentioned areas, but it is open to many other areas that we will be able to identify together. There is a great potential in the field of digital technologies, and I am glad that we can move forward with this kind of cooperation. Of course, we encourage cooperation between companies in Romania and Israel, including through potential joint ventures," the Romanian Foreign Affairs minister said.
This visit reflects the excellent relationship between our countries. Romania is one of our best friends in Europe. I appreciate the support for the State of Israel in the EU and in other international forums from both the government and the foreign minister, Gabriel Ashkenazi said.
We have just signed a joint programme of work in the fields of education, culture and sport. We agreed to set up a joint working group to expand economic cooperation in areas such as technology, agriculture, water management. Both sides believe that there is a great potential for progress. This agreement will increase the already positive relationship between our countries, the Israeli diplomacy's head added.
"The consultations today (e.n. - Wednesday) illustrate the excellent level of our bilateral relations, which have a strategic character, and the lengthy friendship between Romania and the State of Israel. This year we celebrated 72 years of uninterrupted diplomatic relationship. There is a clear mutual interest of both countries to deepen dialogue in all areas of interest. The cooperation program in the realm of culture, education and sports that we signed today is proof in this sense," Aurescu asserted in a joint press statement with Ashkenazi in Jerusalem, during a visit to Israel.
"There are however more things on our table. In the discussions we had today we emphasized the ascending trend of our cooperation, as it is reflected by the consistent and extended political dialogue, by the development of our economic relations - we had commercial exchanges that reached last year nearly 660 million dollars, which represents an increase of over 25 pct over the previous year -, as well as our collaboration in what regards defence and security," added the Romanian head of diplomacy.
According to a press statement released by Romania's Foreign Ministry (MAE), Aurescu also had an extensive exchange of views with Israeli officials on the impact of recent developments in the Middle East, with Aurescu reiterating Romania's support for a "sustainable solution generated by the Peace Process, based on the solution of the two states, Israel and Palestine, coexisting in peace and security, as the only viable option to meet the aspirations on both sides."
Aurescu also welcomed the recent announcement of an agreement between Israel and the United Arab Emirates to normalise relations between the two countries as an important step forward towards promoting lasting peace in the Middle East. Also discussed with senior Israeli officials were other regional issues, with emphasis on the Iranian nuclear file and the situation in Lebanon.
At the same time, Aurescu reaffirmed Romania's readiness to support the strengthening of EU co-operation with Israel, reiterating its support for the resumption of EU-Israel Association Council meetings. He mentioned that Romania has consistently advocated, including at EU level, for a lasting solution generated by the Peace Process, for the resumption of direct negotiations between the two sides involved, as well as for the avoidance of unilateral actions. He underscored in this regard the importance of confidence-building measures, which Romania considers necessary and which it supports.
Today, Aurescu is scheduled to meet Israeli President Reuven Rivlin, and Minister of Regional Co-operation Ofir Akunis. Minister Aurescu's visit will continue in Ramallah, with meetings with senior Palestinian officials.