President meets the foreign ambassadors

President Klaus Iohannis has presented Romanias main foreign policy priorities in his annual meeting with the ambassadors accredited in Bucharest.

Daniela Budu, 30.01.2019, 12:51

The President of Romania, Klaus Iohannis, said at the meeting with
the heads of diplomatic missions in Bucharest that he would do everything in
his power, as president, to make sure that the values of the rule of law, of
liberal democracy and of an independent and efficient judiciary are not
affected.

The head of state vowed that, regardless of the very dynamic
Romanian domestic political scene, all decision-makers will join efforts for
the Romanian presidency of the Council of the EU to unfold in the best
conditions. The President also mentioned that Romania’s term in office comes in
a dynamic context, with challenges such as Brexit, migration, the negotiations
on the multi-annual financial framework and the elections for the European
Parliament. He added that the summit in Sibiu, central Romania, due on May 9th,
will also be a key moment, when a clear view will be articulated on the main
lines of action for the EU in the future.

As for Brexit, a negotiated agreement is the best means to limit the
negative consequences of Britain’s withdrawal from the Union. Following the
rejection of this agreement, Romania, as holder of the presidency of the Council
of the EU, will take the necessary measures in any possible scenario, jointly
with the EU institutions and the other member states. The head of state
promised that Bucharest will make all efforts for the negotiations in this
field to advance.

Citizen safety is another crucial element, and, Iohannis said,
Romania will continue to work steadily to strengthen the external borders of
the European Union. He reiterated that Schengen accession remains a priority
for Bucharest, arguing that this may have a significant contribution to
consolidating security in the entire EU border-free area. The Romanian President
also stated that, apart from strengthening Romania’s role in the EU and NATO, a
central objective remains the consolidation and broadening of the strategic
partnership with the USA. Klaus Iohannis:

I take this opportunity to hail the recognition of Romania’s effort
in participating in the NATO missile defence system, with the Deveselu base, in
the US Missile Defense Review recently presented by President Trump. As far as
NATO is concerned, this year will be an important moment: the celebration of 70
years since the establishment of the strongest political and military alliance
in history, as well as of 15 years since Romania’s joining it. We will continue
to allot 2% of the GDP for defence expenditure, as pledged to our allies.

Klaus Iohannis has also reiterated Romania’s support for the United
Nations, and has mentioned Romania’s candidacy to a non-permanent seat in this
organisation’s Security Council.