Romania at the UN General Assembly

Romania has firmly rejected any form of external pressure towards the states in Eastern Europe, Romanian PM Victor Ponta said on Thursday at the UN General Assembly in New York.

Valentin Țigău, 26.09.2014, 14:22

The agenda of the 69th UN General Assembly held in New York on Thursday focused primarily on the latest international developments. Most keynote speakers addressed challenges facing the modern world, calling for concerted decision-making and action. According to Radio Romania’s correspondent in New York, the European Council president Herman Van Rompuy spoke of the need to avoid a new world war, especially in the context of marking 100 years since WWI.



The Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Romania not only supported international efforts to combat terrorism and any form of aggression that results in regional and global insecurity, but it would also provide logistical support in any action the UN would decide upon. Victor Ponta addressed the crisis in Ukraine, calling for the observance of the territorial integrity of that country, arguing that Russia’s intervention in the region has had a powerful impact on East-European nations.

Victor Ponta: “Romania rejects any form of external pressure on states in Eastern Europe with ambitions to join the European Union. Romania fully supports the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine and of all other nations”.

Another reason of concern, the Romanian PM went on to say, is the momentum gained by radical Islamic groups, particularly the rise of the Islamic State, which threatens to destabilize the Middle East and neighbouring region.

Victor Ponta: “These movements’ sphere of influence extends beyond Iraq and Syria, and therefore they represent a major challenge to global order. All states should address this matter, and we should remain united in our war on terror, wherever it may take us”.

Despite its limited financial resources, Romania is making efforts to actively help refugees fleeing conflict areas. A telling example in that respect is the Emergency Transit Centre in Timisoara, Western Romania, the first of its kind in the world, which offers safe haven to people in need of international assistance. Prime Minister Ponta says Romania will continue to support international efforts with the same devotion and responsibility our military and civilian personnel have displayed in numerous conflict zones such as Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and Northern Africa.