The first Parliamentary Summit of the Bucharest Format (B9) by NATO Eastern member states
Representatives from nine European states from the Eastern Flank of the North-Atlantic Alliance – Bulgaria, The Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Romania and Hungary – along with high NATO officials are in the Romanian capital, Bucharest, to attend the first Parliamentary Summit of the Bucharest Format (B9). At the summit, that aims to consolidate the national parliaments’ role in security and defense problems, subjects of Wednesday’s discussions focused, among others, on issues like defense and deterrence actions in the area, as well as counter-terrorism measures. The Romanian President, Klaus Iohannis, has said that parliaments of B9 countries have an essential role in NATO’s Defense and Deterrence Posture. The Speaker of the Senate, Calin Popescu Tariceanu, has underlined that the organization of the Parliamentary B9 Summit sends a unitary message about the entrenchment of the Eastern Flank of NATO. He also spoke about the importance that Romania pays to the defense investments. The Speaker of Romania’s Deputies’ Chamber, Liviu Dragnea, has emphasized the importance of MEPs contributions to drafting useful conclusions about the current threats and provocations, considering the speed of security environment’s alteration. Participant at the summit have also referred to the unpredictable and aggressive actions of Russia, which constitute a threat both to the region and to the entire Euro-Atlantic community.
President Klaus Iohannis says that Romania has a major goal in bolstering its security through nationwide efforts
A great threat to European security comes from the hostile behaviors from the East, president Klaus Iohannis has said in the opening of the seminary on South-Eastern European security, that is taking place on Thursday, at Cotroceni Palace. According to President Iohannis, Romania’s major goal is to enhance its security by means of nationwide efforts, but also by capitalizing on strategic partnerships. In his opinion, the current security environment generates an opportunity window that puts the region that Romania is part of, in the context of trans-Atlantic debates. The president has also mentioned the guidelines that should be considered in the next period and in the prospects of the July summit in Brussels.
Klaus Iohannis: First of all, it is necessary to boost solidarity within NATO, including by enhancing the trans-border relation. That is why Romania has encouraged activities conducted by American troops on its soil, in ally or bilateral framework, and an increase of American military presence and hardware in Romania. Secondly, we support the development of the EU-NATO partnership. As for the third major action line, it is essential to ensure the unity, coherence and reinforcement of Allied measures on the Eastern Flank, within NATO’s Defense and Deterrence Posture.
Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has met her Italian counterpart Paolo Gentiloni in Bucharest
Trade exchanges between Romania and Italy have reached 14 billion euros, a record level for the last decade, Prime Minister Viorica Dancila has said during a press-conference on Thursday with the visiting Italian head of government Paolo Gentiloni. The economic issue was only one of the elements of the bilateral cooperation discussed during the visit by the Italian Prime Minister to Romania. Romania and Italy are privileged partners, with a robust cultural, linguistic and historical relation, that share the same vision on Europe, that is a united, solidary and strong Europe, Prime Minister Dancila has said after receiving and discussing with her Italian counterpart at Victory Palace. The two leaders have agreed to organize a common governmental meeting that could diversify cooperation in important areas, such as security, defense, economy, energy, environment, health and other sectors. Viorica Dancila and Paolo Gentiloni have talked about the Romanian community in Italy and the Italian community in Romania. Paolo Gentiloni said that 1,300,000 Romanian citizens live and work in Italy, the largest foreign community in this country, a community that is getting better integrated, and as for the problems, the two governments have engaged to solve them. The future of the European Union and Romania’s forthcoming presidency of the EU Council were also on the agenda. The Italian Prime Minister then went to the Cotroceni Palace, where he was welcomed by President Klaus Iohannis.
Mădălina Brotăcel, RADOR
