Malta Prime Minister, Joseph Muscat, is on official visit to Romania on Wednesday, being welcomed by the Romanian counterpart Sorin Grindeanu at the Victoria Palace. It is the first visit of a foreign premier in Bucharest since Sorin Grindeanu is prime minister.
The Romanian PM welcomed his Maltese counterpart on the stairs of the Government building in Victoria Square, where people were protesting, booing and chanting “resignation”.
The official talks are attended, among others, by Louis Grech, Maltese Vice Premier and Minister of European Affairs and George Vella, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Maltese Government. The Romanian side is represented by Foreign Affairs Minister, Teodor Melescanu and Minister Delegate for European Affairs, Ana Birchall.
The Republic of Malta is currently holding the Presidency of the EU Council.
The Romanian PM reiterated Romania’s support for the priorities of the Maltese EU presidency, reconfirming the commitment of the Romanian authorities to enHance and re-activate the European construction, particularly in the view of the Summit in Rome on March 25, according to the Government’s press release.
The two officials also approached the preparations for Romania’s taking over the EU Presidency in the first semester of 2019, with the Romanian side underlining that the Presidency of the EU Council is a challenge for Romania and that the Romanian Gov’t is determined to endorse the EU in its actions to increase the security and prosperity in the European areas.
At the same time, another topic on the agenda referred to improving Romania’s European funds absorption. “Increasing the rate of EU funds absorption is a priority of our ruling programme, as an essential tool to support the economic growth,” said PM Grindeanu.
Prime Minister Joseph Muscat will be received at the Cotroceni Palace by President Klaus Iohannis.