Romania and Southeastern Europe

Romanias prime minister Victor Ponta attended, alongside other heads of state and government, the South-east European Cooperation Process summit in Tirana, Albania. He said Romania was determined to contribute to the development of regional cooperation.

Mihai Pelin, 27.05.2015, 13:21

Romanias prime minister Victor Ponta attended on Tuesday, alongside other heads of state and government, the South-East European Cooperation Process summit in Tirana, Albania. The meeting came amidst security challenges in Europe and the Middle East and focused on regional developments and the European prospects of the states in the Western Balkans. The Romanian prime minister said his country was open to promoting certain projects, in particular in the field of energy, infrastructure and cyber security. Peace, dialogue and stability are essential and all states in the region must understand their importance, Victor Ponta has said.

Victor Ponta did not ignore the economic component, either, advocating the importance of developing and promoting common regional projects. In his opinion, Romania must play a more active role in this process given its stable political situation, solid economic growth and existing ties of cooperation with the states in the region.

According to the Prime Minister, Romania carries out joint projects with Turkey, its largest trade partner, as well as with all states in the region, in particular in the field of energy, infrastructure and in the field of cyber security. Romania invests a lot of money and effort in order to become a very important centre of cyber security, Ponta has said. In Tirana, Victor Ponta also reiterated Romanias support for the continuation of EU enlargement based on the fulfilment of accession criteria. He said it was in the interest of both the Union and the states in south-eastern Europe for EU talks to be stepped up, adding that entry into the Union should not be perceived as a favour from the European Union. He went on to say that the same approach should be taken with respect to NATOs open door policy.

The South-east European Cooperation Process is the most important forum for political dialogue in the region, bringing together Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Turkey and Kosovo.