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UK Ambassador: security situation in Black Sea region is a concern
Ambassador of the UK in Bucharest Andrew Noble stated on Tuesday that the security situation of the Black Sea region represents a "concern," mentioning that the security and understanding relations with Russia represented "a concern" for a very long time.
He stated that although there are many allies in the Black Sea, it is a region where NATO still deals with some challenges. The role of the ambassador's colleagues is an important one for the safety of Romania and NATO territory. He mentioned the challenges in the North Sea. The ambassador went on saying that the security and understanding relations with Russia represented a concern for a very long time. The ambassador believes that there is a need for discussion with the Russian colleagues in order to find some sort of cooperation and understanding, so that both sides accept that they don't pose a threat to each other.
According to the UK Ambassador in Bucharest, there is no way that Romania and NATO pose a threat to Russia. He added that Russia is an intelligent country, with great experience and expressed the wish to get to a solution.
Furthermore, when asked how the British commitment regarding Europe's and Romania's security will develop in the context of Brexit, the British diplomat mentioned that the European cooperation has developed a lot over the last 20 years and the existing European institutions play a particularly important role in everyone's life. The ambassador mentioned discussing with the Romanian Government in view of a tight cooperation, but stressed the need to accept the volume of changes in respect to European security that cannot be replaced only by bilateral exchanges.
He reiterated that the UK Government expressed, within negotiations for Brexit, the wish to get involved in this area of security, even if it is no longer a member of the European Union.
Ambassador Noble said he doesn't know if the member states are content with not having access to the pieces of information offered within the European institutions. He went on saying that we must have this creativity and respond to this Bexit challenge, especially in respect to security. The British official mentioned having talked this matter with the Foreign Affairs Minister and believes that the Romanian Government's concerns are in line with the British ones, adding that Romania doesn't want to lose all the information and tools existing today.
Referring to the political life in Romania, Noble said that everywhere in the world "political life is turbulent", specifying that he came to our country to listen, to learn and to understand.
"Everywhere in the world the political life is turbulent. I cannot discuss the political situation in Romania, because I do not know it. I have read a lot, heard a lot, but so far have not experienced anything and I am here to listen, to learn and I hope, to understand. (...) We could have this matter about the political life in the United Kingdom as well, or from the United States, or the Netherlands and so on. It's almost a normal situation, but the details about Romania I cannot comment," declared Andrew Noble, during his first press conference since taking over the mandate as the United Kingdom's ambassador in Bucharest, being asked if he is worried about the fact that there is a polarization of society, as well as for the political class in Romania.
Also, asked about the protest that occurred in Bucharest on August 10, ambassador Andrew Noble specified that he did not discuss the matter with a lot of people from our country, claiming that "the most important aspect" for a diplomat is to "listen".
"I am very new here. Until now I haven't discussed with a lot of people from Romania. (...) Only Thursday I presented my letters of accreditation to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and I am here to learn, to listen and to understand", Andrew Noble mentioned.
He specified that he does not believe that he would be a "serious diplomat", if he were to comment from the beginning about "the internal situation" of Romania.
Asked if in the following period he has meetings scheduled with the chairmen of the Houses of Parliament and with the Minister of Justice, Andrew Noble replied: "I have every intention to meet with the entire leadership of the Romanian Government, not only the people that you mentioned, but currently I have not yet presented my letters of accreditation to the president, which is why there are still some limits. (...) I have yet to establish dates for the meetings you mentioned.
Regarding the Brexit context, Andrew Noble announced on Tuesday that a new strategic partnership between his country and Romania is in the works, specifying that the current one needs to be "improved and modernized".
We are working together with the Romanian Government for a new strategic partnership between the United Kingdom and Romania. We already have a partnership, but it needs to be improved and modernized to match today's preoccupations. We need a strategic partnership that answers the challenges of a new Europe and I am referring, of course, to the Brexit matter, which will be very important during this negotiation period (...) in Brussels. Europe has many worries concerning security and its prosperity and Brexit cannot be an event that negatively affects Romanian, British, or European matters. (...) My main task is to discuss with the Romanian Government concerning the most appropriate details for the new relationship that will exist between Romania and the United Kingdom within Europe, Andrew Noble told his first press conference since taking office as the United Kingdom's ambassador in Bucharest.
Also, he specified that Romanians within the United Kingdom have no reasons to worry about Brexit.
"I don't believe that they have any reasons to be worried, but (...) I understand the human reaction that they have. The British Government was very clear and negotiations about the position of Romanian citizens in the United Kingdom were very good. I understand why they feel nervous, many British people are as well," Andrew Noble said, stating that he has faith that the situation will be settled in a "very positive way" concerning this "complicated process" which is Brexit.
The ambassador made a reference towards that fact that next year our country will take on the Presidency of the Council of the EU, "a special event for Romania's political and social development of."
We live in a time where bilateral relations grow impressively and I'm not just talking about the economy, but rather the cooperation concerning security (...) and life together (...) and I would like refer to the hero in London, a Romanian citizen that saved the lives of London citizens during the terrorist attack (...) of last year, Andrew Noble showed.
The British diplomat underlined the fact that during his mandate he will take into account cooperation in all fields. "The entire array of relations is my priority, the position of citizens, economic exchanges, military cooperation and I am going tomorrow [Wednesday ed. n] to "Mihail Kogalniceanu". (...) The fight against organized crime is a huge priority, the ambassador said.
He also talked about his first visit in Romania. "I stayed for three years in Bucharest, from 1983 to 1986. (...) I was here during socialist Romania and this is a different country now. (...) Even if there were difficult years for Romanians, but also for foreign diplomats in Bucharest, I created (...) A strong bond with Romania (...) This for me is an honor and a privilege to represent my Queen, my Government and the British people in Romania, Andrew Noble pointed out.
The British official mentioned that he learned the Romanian language in his youth and perfected it in London and Iasi, before officially taking office as ambassador in Romania.
Andrew Noble also said that his family is very glad for coming in Romania for the first time, saying that even his friends wish to visit our country.
Before this I was in Germany, South Africa, Greece, but never have I had so many friends who wanted to come (...) to see us (...). They want to see what this country is about. (...) In the past, people knew about (...) Dracula and Bran Castle, but now the relationship is more intelligent, and the British people talk about Sighisoara and Vlad Tepes, the ambassador declared.
He also said that his family adopted a bear in Zarnesti reservation.
Ambassador Andrew Noble submitted the copies of the letters of credence with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he will next present the official original documents to President Klaus Iohannis, according to the British Embassy in Bucharest.