30 years of diplomatic relations with Ukraine

The president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky had a telephone conversation with his Romanian counterpart Klaus Iohannis

Mihai Pelin, 02.02.2022, 13:50

February 1 marks the
celebration of 30 years since Romania and Ukraine established diplomatic
relations. The ex-Soviet republic proclaimed its independence in 1991, with
formal diplomatic relations between the two countries initiated the next year. Romania
was also the first EU member state to ratify the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement in
2014.

In this context, but also amid
disquieting security developments in the Black Sea region, the president of
Romania Klaus Iohannis had a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian
counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky.

During
the talks, the Romanian official dwelled extensively on possible solutions to
issues related to the rights of the Romanian minority in Ukraine, and
especially on protecting their linguistic identity. He reiterated Bucharest’s firm
support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to its EU and
NATO accession efforts.

The
Romanian president also emphasised his support for the non-recognition of the
illegal annexation of Crimea, and commended Ukraine’s responsible conduct to
avoid the escalation of tensions.

In turn,
the Ukrainian official thanked Romania for its vocal and active support
both at EU and at NATO level.

The Romanian and Ukrainian
foreign ministries also exchanged messages of congratulations. Romania’s
foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu stressed the importance of the relation with
Ukraine and reiterated Romania’s commitment to developing bilateral relations,
in the spirit of European values and in line with the European and
Euro-Atlantic agenda of the ex-Soviet republic. He also voiced hopes that the
open and solid dialogue between the two countries, which he has constantly
promoted and supported, will lead to quick and sustainable solutions to the
identity issues faced by the ethnic Romanian community in Ukraine. He also highlighted
the commitment to stepping up cross-border cooperation in areas of mutual
interest.

The Romanian foreign
ministry also reiterated Romania’s support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and
territorial integrity and for its right to decide freely on its foreign and
security policy. At the same time, the Romanian authorities voiced confidence
that the Ukrainian people’s democratic aspirations will be a driving force for
the reform process in Kyiv.

The
situation remains tense at Ukraine’s border with Russia, where Moscow massed
over 100,000 troops and military equipment and,
according to analysts, is preparing an invasion. Russia denies this, but it did
ask NATO to pull out its troops from Romania and Bulgaria, as part of its
security plans. Moreover, Russia’s president Vladimir Putin warned
that Ukraine’s NATO accession may trigger a war between Moscow and the
North-Atlantic Alliance. (A.M.P.)