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President Iohannis met his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin in Ierusalim
President Klaus Iohannis stated on Monday that ensuring Israel's security is an axiomatic topic, on which no compromises are accepted.
"We understand ensuring Israel's security as an axiomatic topic, which can't be compromised on. On the other hand, combating terrorism is a firm commitment on Romania's foreign policy agenda. This is why we are members of the anti-Daesh coalition and we are participating in the 'Stability' work group. Any type of cooperation with Israel in the fight against terrorism will be a joint contribution to reaching the major goal of bringing peace and welfare in the world," President Iohannis stated in a joint press statement with his Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin.
President Iohannis thanked the Israeli head of state for the warm welcome and declared that "Romania attaches special importance to its relations with Israel, and this visit comes to honor the legacy of our cooperation and especially to project its future. I am confident that uninterrupted friendship relations between our countries, with a tradition of 68 years, based on shared values and objectives, will continue to develop and to expand for the benefit of both peoples. I am confident that the fruitful talks we will engage in throughout this visit will contribute to strengthening our diplomatic, political and, I hope, economic dialogue," Iohannis said.
He emphasized the desire of developing new areas of cooperation, such as innovation, research, science and technology, which according to him there is a remarkable potential.
Iohannis noted that Romania and Israel have a very good dialogue on current international topics.
Israeli President Reuven Rivlin stated on Monday that his country is interested in furthering collaboration with Romania in the fields of cybernetics, agriculture, industry and health.
Romania enjoys a special status in Israel, as a state that maintained and developed along the years good relations with the State of Israel, President Rivlin stated. In past decades these relations have materialized collaborations in fields such as trade, science, economy, he said in the joint press statement with Romanian President Klaus Iohannis.
The Israeli head of state praised the support provided by President Iohannis in developing relations with Israel.
We are already collaborating in strategic and defence sectors, the Israeli President stated, adding that Israel was interested in expanding collaboration in the fields of cybernetics, agriculture, industry and health.
Rivlin expressed confidence in Romania's commitment to control anti-Semitism, xenophobia and hate during its presidency of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance, which it assumes on March 8.
Moreover, the Israeli head of state spoke about the situation in the region, arguing that Iran still poses a threat to the State of Israel.
The State of Israel is concerned by the latest developments in the Middle East, President Rivlin said, adding that Iran is still a real threat to peace in Israel, both directly and indirectly, and recalled the fact that, only one week ago, an Iranian leader firmly denied the State of Israel's right to exist. These threats are deepening suspicions and fear throughout the Middle East and are continuing to position Iran as a subversive factor which threatens security in the region, President Rivlin added.
On Sunday President Iohannis started a six-day state visit to Israel and Palestine, the first of his term.
Klaus Iohannis and first lady Carmen Iohannis were received by Israeli President Reuven Rivlin at the Beit Hanassi presidential residence.
On Sunday, President Iohannis started a six-day state visit to Israel and Palestine, the first of his term. He is due to meet Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday.
Also on Monday, President Iohannis and his wife met Patriarch Theophilos III of the Greek Orthodox Church of Jerusalem, followed by a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem.
At the end of the day, the President and the first lady attended a state dinner hosted by their Israeli counterparts, President Reuven Rivlin and first lady Nechama Rivlin.
On Tuesday, Carmen and Klaus Iohannis head of state and the first lady will visit the Mount Herzl National Cemetery where they will lay a wreath at the tomb of Theodor Herzl. The Romanian president will also visit Yad Vashem, the World Holocaust Remembrance Center; he will then issue a brief press statement.
On Tuesday President Iohannis will hold talks with Knesset (Israeli Parliament) opposition leader and Chairman of the Labour Party Isaac Herzog and with Knesset Speaker Yuli-Yoel Edelstein. The Romanian head of state and first lady will also visit the seat of the Romanian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem.
On Wednesday, the President will visit the Western Wall and will meet in Jerusalem representatives of the Romanian community of Israel.
On Thursday, Iohannis is scheduled to meet President of the State of Palestine and Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas for closed-door talks. The two officials will hold a joint press statement. The Romanian head of state will attend a luncheon offered by the Palestinian President.