Foreign policy priorities, debated by members of the Romanian diplomatic corps

The accession of the Republic of Moldova to the European Union and the reception of our country in the Schengen Area are two of Romania's foreign policy priorities, declared President Klaus Iohannis, yesterday, at the opening of this year's edition of the Annual Meeting of Romanian Diplomacy, an event whose theme is " A firm foreign policy of Romania: managing challenges and maximizing opportunities".

"The priority of the moment consists in obtaining the political decision to open accession negotiations to the European Union with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. Both states need the continued commitment and firm support of the Union and its Member States towards their European future. At the same time, it is our duty, Romania's, to continue to be a genuine provider of security and prosperity in the region, so that the Black Sea becomes a region where peace and prosperity can no longer be subject to any threat. (...)

Romania's accession to the Schengen area remains a priority for the next period. Romania's place is in the Schengen area, and this objective must be achieved, both on the basis of our recognized performances and as a confirmation of the fact that the Union is able to respond to the need for increased cohesion, resilience and security. Especially in the current context, there is a need for loyal cooperation on a constructive basis and the consolidation of a Union without fragmentation within it. You have to convey even more firmly the message that, obviously, Romania is part of the solution and contributes directly and tangibly to the security of the Union. Faced with all this, we have the legitimate expectation from all our European partners to demonstrate solidarity", President Klaus Iohannis conveyed to the members of the Romanian diplomatic corps.

His lordship recalled that steps are needed to develop and deepen the Strategic Partnership with the United States of America, to increase the American presence in our region, in all its aspects - military, economic, energy and political -, as well as to obtain the country's entry our Visa Waiver Program.

"We will continue to deepen bilateral relations with European partners, especially with strategic or strategically relevant ones: Germany, France, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom, Poland, Turkey, Greece, Bulgaria, Portugal, Belgium, Hungary and the Baltic states. At the same time, it is essential to deepen the trilateral formats consolidated or launched in recent years. I am referring to the trilaterals Romania - Poland - Turkey, Romania - Republic of Moldova - Ukraine, Romania - Poland - Spain, each being built on a logic of efficient and targeted cooperation. You must also continue to focus on relations with our strategic partners in the South Caucasus, Azerbaijan and Georgia, as well as Armenia, given the importance of this region in terms of energy and its role in the political, economic and of security from the Black Sea", Klaus Iohannis also told the Romanian ambassadors and consuls sent by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in all the states of the world.

Regarding Romania's role in NATO, President Iohannis stated that our country "now benefits from the highest degree of security and defense in our entire history".

The head of state also referred to the Summit of the Three Seas Initiative, which our country will host next week, for two days, in Bucharest, and announced that he wants to expand this format

with a new participating state, Greece, and granting the status of associated participating state to Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.

For his part, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu reiterated that supporting the Republic of Moldova remains one of the priorities of foreign policy.

"We give full attention and support to the Republic of Moldova, to the consolidation of the rule of law, political stability and prosperity, as well as the European path of the neighboring country. I visited Chisinau, where I personally conveyed to all interlocutors that the Republic of Moldova can count on Romania at any time, in any situation. Moreover, we are watching the transformation of Romania into a regional hub on the Black Sea, a key actor in the fields of energy, agriculture and digitalization. We have the potential to become a major regional player in the field of the defense industry," said Marcel Ciolacu.

Another priority of the Head of Government in the field of diplomacy is our country's accession to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

The last priority regarding the foreign policy of the current prime minister is, through the lens of the four types of elections that will take place next year - European parliamentary, local, parliamentary and presidential -, the relationship between Romanian diplomats and citizens in the Diaspora.

"Romanian citizens abroad have the right to the best representation and consular offices. And for foreign nationals seeking visas or other services from our embassies and consulates around the world, the way we present ourselves to them is a business card of the country. (...) At the same time, dialogue with the diaspora should not be limited to business or assistance provided in administrative or emergency situations. Dialogue with Romanian communities abroad must be constant and pro-active. The "Dialogue with the diaspora on consular issues" program, but also the informative sessions with Romanian citizens abroad must be continued and developed. Promoting the language and national and cultural identity of Romanians is a priority for the Government and I urge you to actively support inter-institutional efforts in this regard. Moreover, next year, your activity at diplomatic missions and consular offices will intensify. 2024 is a special election year. There are three election cycles in which Romanian citizens living abroad will exercise their right to vote. It is our duty to facilitate the exercise of this right, under the best conditions", Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu conveyed to the ambassadors and consuls sent by our country to all the states of the world.

According to the information contained in the speech of President Klaus Iohannis, last year the representatives of our country abroad provided more than 1,130,000 consular services, the most in the history of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.