Foreign policy priorities

In 2023, Romania maintains its general foreign policy coordinates aimed at strengthening its place and role within NATO and the EU and at reinforcing the strategic alliance with the US, President Klaus Iohannis said on Tuesday, at the meeting with the accredited foreign ambassadors to Bucharest. The Romanian president stated that Romania will continue to support securing a consolidated posture on NATO’s eastern flank, to promote the strategic importance of the Black Sea and to support the open door policy of the North Atlantic Alliance.

For the inclusion of Romania into Schengen, important diplomatic resources will be reallocated, and the support given to neighboring Ukraine will be maintained within the same parameters, as long as it is necessary. As regards the free-travel area, president Iohannis emphasized that the success of lifting the CVM in 2022 must be completed this year with Romania’s well-deserved accession to the Schengen Area, given that, according to him, Romania is prepared from all points of view.

Klaus Iohannis: “The place of Romania and its citizens is in Schengen. I reiterate in this context that we will take all the steps that we can take, at all levels, so that Romania should obtain a favorable decision for accession to the Schengen Area.”

Klaus Iohannis also recalled that Romania handled in an exemplary manner the unprecedented situation at the EU’s and NATO’s border, generated by the war started by Russia in neighboring Ukraine, and pointed out that Romania’s image grew exponentially at the regional, European and global levels. The year that has just begun will not be simple, the president also said, adding that our ability to respond to challenges and remain united will continue to be tested.

Klaus Iohannis: “Romania’s response to the crisis caused by Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine will continue to be multidimensional and comprehensive. We will continue to support Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, including their European and Euro-Atlantic aspirations, as the case may be. I repeat what I said in Kyiv and Chisinau. Romania will provide all the support, as long as it is necessary.”

Besides strengthening security, the European Union needs solutions to ensure competitiveness, a solid industrial basis, the green transition and the digital transition, Klaus Iohannis also said, noting that energy security remains a priority in 2023.

Klaus Iohannis: “There is an increased interest of the states in the Black Sea region in strengthening connectivity, with beneficial effects both at regional and European levels. An example in this sense is the 4-party agreement between Romania, Azerbaijan, Georgia and Hungary, whose signing we hosted last month, in the presence of the President of the European Commission.”

According to the head of state, this agreement is an important step towards the fulfillment of the project of the submarine power cable meant to carry electricity from renewable sources through the Black Sea.

Daniela Budu, Radio Romania International