President Iohannis at the annual meeting with heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania
President Klaus Iohannis stated on Tuesday that Romania exemplarily handled the unprecedented situation at the EU and NATO border generated by the war in Ukraine provoked by the Russian Federation, showing that Romania's profile has grown exponentially at regional, European and global level.
"It was an an edifying year [2022] for our identity as a country at external level, Romania acted immediately, firmly and decisively. We handled exemplarily, I would say, through a multidimensional response an unprecedented situation at the EU and NATO border. And Romania's profile has grown exponentially at regional, European and global level," the head of state said at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace, at the annual meeting with heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania.
He showed that 2022 was a year of profound transformations, caused by the illegal war of the Russian Federation against Ukraine, a year which tested the capacity for reaction and resilience.
"Our democratic values have been directly attacked and we reacted without hesitation. Ever since the first day of the war, Romania has gotten actively involved in the reaction of the democratic international community and in the strategic adaptation process imposed by the new security reality," Iohannis also said.
He brought to mind that the Romanian citizens and authorities provided emergency support to the refugees from Ukraine, including through the humanitarian hub organised in Suceava.
"Over 3.3 million of Ukrainian citizens have crossed our borders so far. We have quickly ensured a comprehensive package of measures to receive and protect them. The Romanian society has impressed the whole world through its proven solidarity and empathy. In order to avoid a major global food crisis, Romania facilitated the transit of Ukrainian grains toward vulnerable states - over 11 million tons of agricultural products crossed our country so far, i.e. approximately half of the total volume transited through the European Solidarity Corridors initiative," the head of state explained.
President Iohannis also brought to mind his constant discussions with Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy and the fact that last year, in Kyiv, alongside leaders of France, Germany and Italy, he concretely showed Romania's solidarity and support for Ukraine, including for its European journey.
"We have put in sustained efforts which contributed to the historic decision made by the European Council in June 2022 by which candidate status was granted to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova and Georgia's European perspective was recognized," he also said.
The head of state mentioned that Romania's diplomatic actions and initiatives have been firm in holding Russia accountable and isolating it, actively supporting the sanctions adopted at European level and the use of international law instruments.
Iohannis underscored that Romania's response to the crisis caused by Russia's aggression war against Ukraine will continue to be multidimensional and comprehensive.
In this context, President Klaus Iohannis stated on Tuesday that Romania will further ensure the fulfillment of the commitments in the direction of a strengthened posture on the Eastern Flank of NATO, it will promote the strategic importance of the Black Sea and will continue to endorse the Alliance's open doors policy, mentioning that Romania has already increased this year the Defence budget from 2pct to 2.5pct of the GDP.
"At NATO level, we will seek to fully implement the decisions of the Summit in Madrid, in parallel with the corresponding preparation of the Summit in Vilnius. We will ensure the fulfillment of our national commitments, in a tight coordination with our allies, in the direction of a strengthened posture on the Eastern Flank. Moreover, we will further promote the strategic importance of the Black Sea and we will continue to support NATO's open doors policy. As I have said, defence starts from home. This is why, Romania increased, as of this year, the budget dedicated to Defence from 2pct to 2.5pct of the Gross Domestic Product," the head of state conveyed at the annual meeting with the heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania.
The president mentioned that 2023 will also be an important year for the further development of Romania's Strategic Partnership with the US.
"The developments of 2022 have created an extensive and pragmatic agenda in view of the next round of Strategic Dialogue between Romania and the US, scheduled to take place in Bucharest, this spring," Iohannis added.
The head of state said that in 2023 our country will deepen the bilateral relations with European partners, especially with the strategic ones or with strategic relevance: France, Germany, Spain Italy, the UK, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary and the Baltic states.
"Moreover, we will continue to develop the cooperation relations with our strategic partners in the South Caucasus - Georgia and Azerbaijan - and we will act in view of revitalizing the traditional relations with Armenia. The Three Seas Initiative will be at the core of our demarches at European and regional level. This year, we'll host for the second time, on behalf of Romania, the Initiative's Summit. We want to reconfirm the Initiative as a mature political platform, which generates investments and strategic interconnection on the North-South axis and connectivity with the Initiative's partners," Iohannis highlighted.
President Klaus Iohannis also said on Tuesday that 2023 will be an important year for the revival of Romania's relationships with traditional friends and partners in South and Southeast Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
"2023 will mark the promotion of Romania's relationships with Japan to a higher level of a strategic partnership. We will continue to expand our relationships with South Korea, marking the 15th anniversary of a strategic partnership; we will work to strengthen our extended partnership with India, as well as the relationship with Vietnam. After 75 years of uninterrupted relationships with the State of Israel, we will work together to provide even more consistency to our bilateral co-operation of a strategic nature. We intend to intensify the series of high-level contacts with the Arab Gulf States, with Egypt, Jordan and the countries of the Maghreb, as well as with the sub-Saharan African countries, which will lead to a restart of Romania's presence in Africa. It is time to adopt a new approach of this crucial continent for the future of humanity, including under a new Romanian strategy for Africa. At the same time, we want to send a strong signal to our Latin American and Caribbean partners and friends regarding Romania's decision to contribute to deepening political dialogue and bilateral co-operation," Iohannis told an annual meeting with heads of accredited diplomatic missions in Romania.
He added that the international environment is undergoing a deep change, and in 2023 global action becomes even more relevant.
"International co-operation is the best way to manage the challenges of the moment, such as energy, food, economic or climate crises, in the spirit of solidarity and shared responsibility. Isolation cannot be the solution. We need an open and honest dialogue with our partners on other continents, to understand their concerns and to jointly identify courses of action. Global problems are solved through global actions. Equally, we need a consolidation of economic relationships and investment," said Iohannis.
In his opinion, the energy security is a priority of the European Union and Romania will continue to take the necessary steps to make sure that the country's diversified energy mix and low-cost technologies are reflected in the public's final bills.
"As well as strengthening the security dimension, the European Union needs solutions to secure competitiveness, a solid industrial base, the green transition and the digital transition. Energy security remains a priority. In 2023, Romania will continue to take the necessary steps to make sure that the diversified energy mix and low-cost technologies are reflected in the final bills of the public," Iohannis told an annual meeting with heads of accredited diplomatic missions in Romania.
He added that there is an increased interest of the Black Sea countries in strengthening connectivity, with beneficial effects both regionally and Europe-wise, an eloquent example being a four-party agreement between Romania, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Hungary signed in Bucharest last month in the presence of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.
"The agreement is an important step in completing the project for a submarine cable for the transmission of electricity from renewable sources under the Black Sea. It is also an example of a European project that can contribute to our common resilience," added the president.
Iohannis said that these are priority themes for Romania, along with the highest possible level of investment under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan and through the traditional European funds essential for the country's economic growth.
"In 2022 alone, over 11 billion euros entered the Romanian economy through these funds. Our resilience does not only mean security in a broader sense, but also a solid economy, oriented towards the future and capable of overcoming any possible shocks," Iohannis pointed out.
The success of finalizing the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism (CVM) must be completed this year with Romania's well-deserved accession to Schengen, as Romania is ready from all points of view and steps will be taken at all levels to obtain a favourable decision, President Klaus Iohannis stated on Tuesday, at the annual meeting with heads of diplomatic missions accredited in Romania.
"At European level, I have confidence that 2023 will be a benchmark for a stronger and more resilient European Union, a union of values capable to project stability and ready to face challenges of the current future. I wish success to the Swedish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and we hail its commitment to get involved in protecting the democratic values and the rule of law, to which Romania itself is deeply attached," the president stated at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace.
He added that Romania is an important part of the solution to the security challenges.
"The success of finalizing the Co-operation and Verification Mechanism in 2022 must be completed this year with the well-deserved accession to Schengen, because Romania is ready from all points of view. Romania's place and of its citizens is in Schengen. I thank all the states which endorsed us and we are counting on your support and I further reaffirm in this context, too, that we will take all the steps that concern us in all areas and at all levels so that Romania obtains a favourable decision for the accession to the Schengen area. Romania is certainly an important part of the solution to the security challenges we are confronted with at European level, we have contributed and are consistently contributing to strengthening the Union's security," the head of state underscored.