The annual meeting of Romanian diplomats focused this year on the security challenges on the European and Euro-Atlantic borders.
The annual meeting of the Romanian diplomats which held in Bucharest focused this year on the security challenges on the European and Euro-Atlantic borders. According to foreign minister Bogdan Aurescu, as a member of the European Union and NATO, Romania has faced many geostrategic challenges in its extended neighbourhood:
"We cannot ignore the fact that around the two structures we are part of a genuine corridor of instability has been created, with many hotspots, from the aggressive actions of the Russian Federation in Ukraine and its alteration of the security balance in the Black Sea region following Crimea's illegal occupation and militarisation to the rise of the terrorist phenomenon, the growing challenges posed by illegal migration and the various crises and state instability to the south. Romania, which lies on the eastern border of these structures and at the inflection point of the southern neighbourhood, through the extended Black Sea area, has the duty and responsibility to contribute substantially to efforts to bring about stability, democracy and prosperity."
Migration dominated the opening of the meeting, and the conclusion was that unilateral or solely national solutions are not efficient in dealing with the problem. Prime minister Victor Ponta, who attended the talks, said the subject would also be tackled at the upcoming meeting of the country's Supreme Defence Council:
"I can only tell you this: we are not standing idly by, we are ready, but it is important to coordinate our decisions and communication."
President Klaus Iohannis urged Romania's diplomats stationed abroad to take on a more active role in promoting their country's economic interests and again called for Romania's entry into the Shengen area:
"Joining the Schengen area will remain a goal in the near future. Apart from meeting the corresponding requirements, it is also important to reiterate that Romania's inclusion into this area will contribute to the consolidation of the European Union's external borders."
Making sure that the rights of the Romanians living abroad are respected remains a fundamental duty for Romania, said president Iohannis, adding he hoped politicians would fulfil their promise about the introduction of postal voting. Other topics discussed by the Romanian diplomats at their annual meeting included the revision of the Eastern Partnership and Romania's priority relationship with the Republic of Moldova.
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