The Romanian Prime Minister’s visit to Germany

Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu discussed Romania's Schengen accession, NATO's eastern flank and Romanian-German relations with Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Daniela Budu, 06.07.2023, 14:00

Germany supports Romania’s bid to become a full member of Schengen,
Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz said upon meeting his Romanian counterpart,
Marcel Ciolacu. The Romanian Prime Minister paid a two-day visit to Berlin,
hailing Germany’s unconditional support for Bucharest’s efforts to join the visa-free
travel area and outlining the main lines of cooperation between the two states.
The two officials also discussed security on NATO’s eastern flank and the
upcoming NATO summit due in Vilnius next week. Support for consolidating NATO’s
eastern flank is exemplary, Chancellor Scholz argued, saying that Romania is a
trusted ally and partner. As regards bilateral ties, the German official said
the two countries enjoy very good and close relations, while bilateral
economic prospects are encouraging. In turn, Marcel Ciolacu said he wants to
reduce the trade deficit between the two countries:

We discussed economic cooperation and vistas for development including in
terms of trade as well as investments, by using European resources as well.
Germany is Romania’s top trade partner. There is, however, great potential for
development between the two countries and together we have identified ways to
work together to cover the emerging markets. For instance, we will actively
take part in the reconstruction of Ukraine and help support the development of
Moldova. In this context, I want to stress our full support for Ukraine.

Germany has expressed an interest to invest in the petrochemical sector
in Romania, in the production of fertilizers as well as the raw materials
industry. Marcel CIolacu’s visit to Germany also included meetings with
representatives of the Bundestag, the German business and defense sectors and
the Romanian diaspora. According to the Romanian Prime Minister, German
investment is expected in such fields as construction materials and foodstuffs.
As regards green energy, Marcel Ciolacu recalled Romania is developing a wind
park on the Black Sea, arguing that once the proper legislation is adopted,
large corporations in this field might be interested to invest. Marcel Ciolacu
also presented the main projects of the Government addressing the Romanian community
in Germany. We need to find ways to develop a communication between this
community and those at home. We will come up with a start-up program for the
Diaspora, the Prime Minister also said. (VP)