Government of Romania

01/27/2023 | News release | Distributed by Public on 01/27/2023 09:18

Prime Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă met with the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna

PRESS RELEASE

Prime Minister Nicolae-Ionel Ciucă and the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Catherine Colonna, had a meeting in the context of the visit of the Head of French diplomacy to Romania.

This visit prefigures the celebration, on February 4, of the 15th anniversary of the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Romanian-French Strategic Partnership and also takes place in preparation for the celebration, in March, of the 30th anniversary of Romania becoming a full member of Francophonie.

In the exchange of views, the strategic and special bilateral relationship between Romania and France was highlighted, strengthened by the historical ties of solid friendship based on strong cultural affinities.

The Prime Minister of Romania voiced special appreciation for the substantial contribution of France, as a framework nation, to the NATO Battle Group in Romania.

The two dignitaries emphasized the joint commitment to boost bilateral sectoral cooperation and strengthen economic and investment relations.

During the discussions, the perspective of advancing Romania's accession to the Schengen Area was also addressed. Prime Minister Ciucă thanked for France's supportive position in favor of Romania's accession and the firm commitment to support Romania's efforts to continue the path towards attaining this goal.

The Head of Government highlighted the dynamic steps taken by the Romanian side by engaging in intensive consultations with all European partners in an effort to identify a solution that will soon lead to a correct and positive result for Romania's accession to the Schengen area.

Discussions between the two officials also addressed the impact of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. In this context, they welcomed bilateral cooperation in support of the transit of Ukrainian grain to third markets.

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During January 26-27, 2023, the Dutch Foreign Minister Wopke Hoekstra, and the French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, will pay a joint visit to Romania. The schedule of the presence in Romania includes visits to the military facilities jointly used by the allied troops deployed in Romania and diplomatic consultations in a trilateral format Romania-Netherlands-France.

The presence of the heads of the Dutch and French diplomacy reconfirms the effective trilateral interaction between Bucharest, Paris and The Hague.