Support to vulnerable democracies

Democracies are stronger when they cooperate, said Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu.

Eugen Coroianu, 03.03.2022, 14:00

The Romanian Foreign Minister Bogdan Aurescu on Wednesday called on the democratic community to offer firm support to Ukraine and vulnerable democracies. Aurescu hosted and chaired an emergency meeting of the Governing Council of the Communities of Democracies, that focused on the situation in Ukraine, and was dubbed Solidarity in the context of the war against democracy. Currently holding the presidency of this international body, Romania firmly condemned, through the voice of Minister Aurescu, the unprovoked, illegal and unjustified military aggression of Ukraine by Russia, including the decision of Russian President Vladimir Putin to lift the alert level of nuclear forces. Aurescu highlighted the fact that, by these actions, Russia violated all international accords, the UN Chart in particular, and disturbed international order which is founded on democratic norms, values and principles.

The Romanian official also emphasized the need to approach, within this multilateral forum, the ways in which democratic countries across the world can support and encourage the young Ukrainian democracy and its democratically elected leaders, in order to overcome this unprecedented crisis. Aurescu called for cooperation, solidarity and firm commitments in support of peace, to prove that democracies are stronger when they cooperate. Aurescu also said that, in order to discourage the Russian aggressor, firm international measures and strong local measures are equally needed. He reiterated Romania‘s solidarity commitment to Ukraine, by condemning Russian aggression at the level of all international organizations, supporting sanctions against it and offering Ukraine support at national level.

The Romanian official joined the UN countries in co-sponsoring the resolutions of the UN Security Council and General Assembly and in condemning Russian aggression against Ukraine. Romania has also supported the tough sanctions imposed by the international community, including the shutting down of Russian propaganda publications in the EU. Bogdan Aurescu also mentioned the humanitarian aid granted by the Romanian authorities and citizens to the Ukrainians forced to flee war. This is the battle of our generation and a test to our democracies , Aurescu said. (EE)